Greens want joint panel to inspect Sirvodem STP discharging into river
MARGAO
Will the Joint Committee headed by the Environment Secretary constituted by the National Green Tribunal to go into the issue of better utilisation of rain water and disposal of treated effluent at a Cavelossim-based hotel for secondary purposes also take a close look at the river Sal, where the Sewerage & Infrastructure Development Corporation’s sewerage treatment plants are discharging millions of litres of treated sewage in the river?
No doubt, the NGT-constituted Joint Committee may have a limited brief of looking into the issues of utilisation of rain water and disposal of treated effluents at the Cavelossim-based hotel. The fact, however, remains that while the issues in respect of the Cavelossim hotel is just a tip of a bigger problem, since millions of litres of treated sewage water is pumped out into the river Sal by the two state-of-the-art STPs at Sirvodem-Margao on the banks of river Sal.
That’s not all. While the two Sirvodem-based STPs have been discharging the effluents into the river for years now, the Colva Sewage Treatment Plant, which is awaiting commissioning, is bracing up to discharge the treated sewage into the river Sal.
Greens waging a battle for the reuse of treated effluents, including sewage waters for secondary purposes, now see a ray of hope post-NGT order vis-à-vis the Cavelossim hotel. Social activist Judith Almeida said the NGT order in respect of the Cavelossim hotel has set a very economically viable benchmark and a template for the preservation and usage of the water resource.
“At a time when wars are being fought on water internationally and amongst States and when climate change is becoming a reality, this order from the NGT could not have come at a better time. It sets a very economically viable benchmark/template for preservation and usage of this natural resource,” Judith said. She added: “Water, the elixir of life is a scarce natural resource. Any shortage in rainfall could lead to compromise on the quality of life.”
She demanded that the government should without delay utilise the services of experts to put a comprehensive holistic plan to conserve water and its sustainable judicious usage.
“All STPs must have dual lines set up to receive sewage and waste water and to redistribute the treated water for reuse by hotels in large housing complexes in their toilets, gardens, sulabh (public toilets), in farm lands and in industries where raw water is required. Every STP must be strictly monitored by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) by putting in place rigorous systems to assure quality. Every drop of water conserved and judiciously utilised,” Judith asserted.
Benaulim-based social activist Royla Fernandes made a fervent plea to the Joint Committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal which inspected the Cavelossim hotel to also have a look at the sewage treatment plants at Sirvodem. “The issues raised by the NGT at Cavelossim and what the people in the riverine villages have been fighting for remains the same. The Joint Committee headed by the Environment Secretary would do great service to the environment if his team also inspects the Sirvodem STPs discharging treated effluents in the river Sal,” Royla said.
Cavelossim hotel: NGT order
“Instead of storm water being taken to the river, it may be advisable to conserve the said water in an appropriate manner so that potable water can be better utilised. Further, treated effluent by the project proponent be utilised for gardening or other secondary purposes,” the Bench observed while directing the constitution of a Joint Committee comprising Secretary, Environment, Goa, Secretary, Water Resources Department, Goa and State PCB.
The joint committee may look into the issue of better utilisation of rain water and disposal of treated effluent for secondary purposes and take an appropriate decision in the matter, after interaction with the project proponent and other stakeholders.
