Officials advise villagers against using contaminated water sources; samples sent for analysis; p’yat directed to clean wells; additional storage tank to be provided
Deputy Collector Milind Velip discussing the issue of drinking water woes at Talsai-Sanguem with officials from PWD and health department.
Officials inspecting the overhead tank used to pump water from bore well for onward supply to the villagers of Talsai.
SANGUEM
A sense of relief prevailed among residents of Talsai village in Sanguem after government officials visited the locality to assess the drinking water crisis being faced by the villagers.
Sanguem Deputy Collector Milind Velip, accompanied by officials from the Drinking Water Department (PWD), Health Department, Sarpanch Chandan Unandkar and the Joint Mamlatdar’s office, conducted an inspection of the village’s water sources following reports of unsafe drinking water.
During the visit, officials inspected the two wells and the government-provided borewell on which the villagers depend for their water needs.
While the borewell is primarily used for drinking water, residents are forced to rely on the two privately maintained wells whenever the borewell supply becomes inadequate.
Speaking after the inspection, Deputy Collector Milind Velip said the condition of both wells was found to be alarming. One of the wells, constructed with stone walls, and another mud well contained turbid water with a greenish-yellow appearance.
Officials also noticed the presence of snakes in and around the wells. Based on the findings, the administration advised residents not to consume water from either of the wells until further notice.
Velip stated that the water in both wells was unfit for human consumption and even unsafe for livestock due to possible contamination. Water samples from both wells have been collected and sent for testing to determine the extent of contamination.
PWD officials informed that water samples from the government borewell had been tested around two years ago and were found to meet all the prescribed parameters for potable drinking water. However, in view of concerns raised by villagers, the department has now collected fresh samples from the borewell as well as the two wells for laboratory analysis.
To address the immediate crisis, the administration has directed the Drinking Water Department to install an additional 2,000-litre storage tank within a week to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Deputy Collector Milind Velip assured villagers that tanker water would be provided on priority whenever shortages arise and urged them to contact officials immediately in case of disruptions.
The village panchayat has been directed to clean and renovate the stone-lined well, while a protective ring and safety net have been recommended to prevent contamination and ensure children’s safety.
Unauthorised pipeline found in water tank
SANGUEM: During an inspection of the drinking water sources being used by residents of Talsai village, government officials discovered an unauthorised pipeline connected to the water storage tank meant for storing water pumped from a borewell.
The issue came to light during the administration’s visit to Talsai following complaints from villagers regarding the availability of safe drinking water in the remote settlement.
The inspection team, led by Sanguem Deputy Collector Milind Velip, found an unauthorised pipeline connecting a nearby well to the storage tank meant exclusively for borewell water. Officials found the well water contaminated, raising fears that unsafe water may have mixed with the drinking water supply.
Taking serious note of the matter, Velip immediately directed PWD officials to disconnect and remove the pipeline connected to the contaminated well, ensuring that only water sourced from the borewell is pumped into the storage tank for public consumption.
Claiming ignorance about the pipeline, PWD officials said they were unaware of its installation. The discovery has raised concerns about the duration for which contaminated water may have entered the system.
