Cortalim MLA Anton Vas and others watch the fire which was lit to test the contamination of water from the well.
VASCO
A well within the premises of Our Lady of Health Church at Shindole, Sancoale has been found contaminated with fuel, raising alarm among residents and prompting a multi-department inspection on Monday.
The issue surfaced after Parish Priest Fr Kenneth Teles reported a strong and persistent smell emanating from the well over the past 15 days.
According to Fr Teles, the well has been a primary source of water for drinking and gardening purposes for years, making the contamination particularly concerning.
He said the matter was brought to the attention of MLA Anton Vaz on Sunday after unusual changes were noticed in the water quality and its impact on the surroundings.
Teles stated that fruits from trees in the church garden began falling prematurely and had an altered taste, which led to suspicion about the water.
“We had been sensing a strong smell from the well for the past 15 days. This water is used for drinking and for our garden. This year, the fruits began falling before ripening and even the taste was different. That is when we decided to alert authorities,” he said.
He further added that the well has historically never dried up, even during peak summer, and refills quickly after cleaning, making it a vital and unique water source in the area.
Following the complaint, MLA Anton Vas, along with police and officials from various departments, visited the site to assess the situation. Vaz said he immediately alerted the fire brigade upon receiving the information, while other departments joined the inspection the next day due to the weekend.
He stated that directions have been issued to the Deputy Collector to convene a joint meeting of all departments concerned, including the Water Resources Department and the Goa State Pollution Control Board, to conduct a detailed inquiry.
“It is critical to identify how fuel has entered the well. The water was being used for consumption, which makes this a serious public health concern. A thorough inspection must be carried out and strict action taken once the source is traced,” Vaz said.
Locals were left shocked after drawing water from the well and conducting a basic test, during which the presence of fuel was indicated when the water caught fire. Residents have expressed concern over the potential risks posed by the contamination in a residential locality.
Authorities are expected to carry out detailed testing and initiate measures to trace the source of the fuel seepage and prevent further hazards.
