MARGAO
Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar’s move to tap natural water resources at Sarzora, Dicarpale, besides the Kushavati river to meet the raw water requirement of the industrial sector has brought to the fore the same old question “ has the government set up any mechanism to utilise millions of litres of treated sewage water for secondary purposes when the water is flowing into the rivers and sea, day in and out?
Consider this. In May last year, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had observed in a petition concerning to a starred resort in South Goa, calling for the better utilisation of rain water and disposal of treated effluents of the hotel for secondary purposes.
A similar demand was raised by the villagers of Benaulim and Colva last year, calling upon the government to use the treated sewage waters for secondary purposes, including using the treated water to meet the raw water requirements of the industry.
Against the backdrop of the WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar’s recent initiative to tap the water resources of the villages of Sarzora, Dicarpale for industrial purpose may bring back to the fore the question whether the government has done any homework to tap the treated sewage water for secondary purpose.
Consider this: A whopping 20 million litres of treated sewage water, as per the Sewage Infrastructure and Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCGL) and the PWD’s claim, is being discharged in the river Sal by the two sewerage treatment plants operating in Margao.
The sewerage treatment complex at Margao is housing two state-of-the-art STPs, one a 6.75MLD plant and the other 20MLD plant. If officials are to be believed, the two plants are presently discharging around 20MLD of treated water in the river Sal.
Take note, the SIDCGL is bracing up to commission the 7.5MLD sewerage treatment plant at Colva, which is expected to treat the sewage generated in the tourist village. However, as per the arrangements put in place by the SIDCGL and the PWD, a line is being laid from Colva to the Khareband Bridge for the discharge of the treated sewage from the Colva STP.
After his election in the 2022 Assembly poll, local Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas had made a strong pitch for the utilisation of the treated sewage water from the Colva STP for gardening and for secondary purposes, but in vain.
Hopes were raised in May last year after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) underscored the need for conservation of rain water for potable use and also utilise treated effluents for gardening or other secondary purposes. Questions are being raised in local circles whether the State administration had taken the NGT directions on conservation of rain water for potable use and to utilise treated sewage water for secondary purpose.
Benaulim-based social activist, Royla Fernandes pointed out that she had been knocking the doors of the authorities, including the PWD to explore the possibility of utilising the treated sewage water for secondary and industrial purpose. “When water is a scare commodity, all measures should be adopted to conserve water resources, including utilisation of treated sewage water. Treated water is being used for secondary purpose in Haryana. The same should be done in Goa too,” Royla said.
She added: “Instead of tapping lake waters for industrial purpose, the government should take the treated effluent water to the industries or use it for secondary purposes such as gardening or flushing toilets in government buildings to begin with. The government can even get the industries to lay the line for the STP plants to the industrial estates under Corporation Social Responsibility (CSR).”
