MARGAO
An inspection carried out by the Goa State Pollution Control Board earlier this month has come out with startling revelations over the pollution of river Sal by sewage, with the board pointing out that the river stretch from the SGPDA wholesale fish market to the new bypass bridge across the river has been categorized as “polluted river stretch” as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorization.
The GSPCB inspection team has recommended to the pollution board to issue directions to the PWD and Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) to divert the wastewater flowing in the stormwater nullahs which eventually finds its way into the river Sal.
Another important recommendation by the inspection team to the board is to direct the authorities to install the online effluent monitoring systems at the 20MLD and 6.7MLD sewage treatment plants at Margao.
Saying the board had in the past directed the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to identify additional establishments discharging sewage into the drains, the inspection team recommended to the board to issue directions to the MMC, SIDCGL and the PWD, besides the Director of Health Services to take stringent action against the units discharging domestic wastewater into the nullahs and to get the units connected to the sewerage system.
In another key recommendation that has come against the backdrop of the discharge of raw sewage by the sewage treatment plant earlier this month, the inspection team has recommended interconnectivity of the 20MLD and 6.7MLD plants at the Sirvodem-Margao complex for sharing the load in case of emergency. It has also called for making provision for additional DG set at the plant for electrical backup.
The inspection report also made a mention of the recommendations by the Pollution Control Board in respect of the Public Interest Litigation filed by a resident of Navelim, Antonio Alvares over the pollution of Salpem lake.
The board had recommended to the Water Resource Department (WRD) to demarcate the Salpem lake area and carry out the restoration.
Pointing out that there are no sluice gates and the lake drains all the water into the river Sal and gets dried up, the board had recommended that during the second crop, the treated water from the Navelim STP may also be utilized for irrigation which is located adjacent to Salpem lake.
The board further asked the SIDCGL to explore the possibility of installing the Phytorid bed treatment system along the nullah flowing into Salpem lake to control the sewage flow during monsoon.
Inspection team finds five nullahs flowing into Sal with wastewater
MARGAO
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) inspection team has found that five stormwater nullahs have been flowing into river Sal with wastewater.
The report pointed out that the nullah flowing from the Margao city area near Victor hospital flows across the Margao railways station, then the rear side of ESI hospital and finally leads to Sirvodem, into the Salpem lake and at the rear side of STP complex before emptying into the river Sal along with the wastewater.
The nullah from the Gandhi Market area further flows to Sirvodem, into the Salpem river and thereafter joins the nullah flowing in Salpem lake and joins river Sal.
The inspection has found that the sewage chamber from the Comba-Margao bypass road area, also flows into the river Sal.
Besides, the report stated that the nullah from the Colva circle flows into river Sal, adding that the nullah flowing next to District Hospital carrying wastewater flows into river Sal.
Central board classifies stretch from Khareband-Mobor under priority 3
MARGAO:
If the Goa State Pollution Control Board has pointed out that the stretch of river Sal from the SGPDA wholesale fish market to the new bypass bridge across river Sal stretch is categorized as a “polluted river stretch” as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorization, the board has further stated that the Central Pollution Control Board has classified the 22-km stretch of Sal river from Khareband to Mobor under Priority 3.
The report has pointed out that the river rejuvenation committee has been formed for the revival of polluted stretches in Goa and the action plan has been already prepared.
The report further pointed out that the stretch between Khareband and Mobor and the tributary at Panzorconi-Cuncolim is classified as SW II (for bathing, contact water sports and commercial fishing).
The report mentioned that the board monitors the water quality of Sal at five locations of river Sal, of which 14 km stretch is affected by tides and 8 km is non-saline/not affected by tides.
Stop sewage discharge or face legal action, MMC CO warned
MARGAO:
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has directed the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer to immediately act and stop the sewage discharge into river Sal.
GSPCB Member Secretary Shamila Monteiro has warned that failure to comply with the directions will compel the board to initiate stringent legal action against the Chief Officer under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, without further notice.
Compliance with the directions may be submitted to the board within 15 days of receipt of the directions.
Issuing directions under Section 33(A) read with Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the GSPCB member has pointed out that the report of the November 7 inspection has indicated that the units are still discharging domestic sewage into the nullah at different locations and polluting river Sal. The GSPCB maintained that the Chief Officer has failed to undertake the necessary action to curb the discharge of untreated sewage into the river Sal, thereby causing environmental pollution in the vicinity, which violates the provision of the water Pollution Act.
In the letter, Dr Monteiro pointed out that the board had directed the MMC and other authorities to inspect the nullahs and other areas where sewage is discharged and submit an action plan to the board. Accordingly, the MMC submitted a reply on June 10, 2022, stating they have issued notices to parties concerning the discharge of sewage, besides identifying another 34 units on suspicion of discharging wastewater.
