OLD GOA
Even as water contamination has hit the ward of Dhaktem Bhat-Dongrim since the past more than a week, the release of sewage in the drains has been identified as the probable reason for the same.
This came to light when the slabs of the drains were opened to reveal the release of sewage by many households into the drains.
In some instance, the sewage was accumulated and with the pipes located underneath the drains there was every possibility of water contamination happening due to the rusted pipelines.
Speaking to The Goan, former sarpanch Ajit Bacal informed that the release of sewage into the drains is the primary reason for the water contamination.
“The immediate remedy is to direct all households to stop releasing sewage and instead build soakpits,” Bacal opined while stating that if this step is not taken then there will be no point in just replacing the water pipes.
Meanwhile, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar visited the area and took stock of the situation.
Later, speaking to The Goan, Borkar said that the work of installing a valve is being undertaken so that water supply only to the affected area of Dhaktem Bhat could be disconnected.
“As of now, water supply to Vhodlem Bhat is also affected. Once the valve is installed, then only water supply to Dhaktem Bhat will be stopped while that to Vhodlem Bhat will be resumed,” the MLA said.
Borkar also informed that he spoke to the health officials who have informed him that sewage is released into the drains by many households.
“I have spoke to Mandur Sarpanch Prashant Naik and together we are working out a solution to help the locals build soakpits with the help of MGNREGA scheme,” Borkar informed.
The MLA also informed that there are also plans to hold a meeting of the locals with the panchayat authorities, PWD authorities and health authorities to answer the queries of the locals.
When questioned, Borkar informed that the panchayat is in the process of sending letters to the PWD and the health authorities requesting them to attend the meeting.
On the issue of ensuring water supply through water tanker to the affected locals, Borkar said that the PWD will be sending water tankers.
He also informed that wells in the area are also being utilized to supplement the water demand.
Health officials to issue notices to those releasing sewage in drains
OLD GOA: With several households releasing sewage into the drains, officials of the Corlim Primary Health Centre (PHC) have decided to issue notices to the heads of the households to build soakpits for releasing sewage.
Sources inside the Corlim PHC informed that ever since the water contamination occurred at Dhaktem Bhat, its team has been conducting a survey of the area to ascertain which household is releasing sewage. “We have noted down the names of the heads of such households and once the survey is completed, notices will be issued to them to build soakpits for sewage,” the sources stated.
Meanwhile, sources also informed that apart from conducting the survey, the team of Corlim PHC is also creating awareness among the locals to drink water after boiling it. “Also, we are creating awareness of vector-borne diseases which are spread by mosquitoes. As sewage is accumulated in some places, mosquito breeding occurs and we have urged the public to keep the surroundings clean,” sources further added.
