the goan I network
VALPOI
In what could be a major health hazard, an analysis of water samples from the Valvanti River have revealed the presence of e-coli and coliform bacteria.
Water from the Valvanti river is supplied to the Padose water treatment plant in Sattari Taluka and is used for drinking purposes in many parts of North Goa. The concerns were raised after a report from the Central Pollution Control Board had stated that the Valvanti river has been polluted and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had been directed to undertake measures to avoid further pollution in the river.
Acting on apprehensions from locals, Speaker and Sakhali MLA Dr Pramod Sawant had directed the GSPCB to test water samples from the Valvanti river.
The GSPCB in turn had asked the Water Resources Department to test the water samples and as a result, samples from around 10 locations in the river were collected and sent for testing in the health department. A report has revealed the presence of E coli and coliform bacteria in the water.
When contacted, a WRD official said: “There is still one test report awaited which will clarify the exact pollution levels in the Valvanti river and this report is expected in about eight days.”
“Efforts to clean water from the Valvanti river can be possible if fresh water from the Anjuna Dam Reservoir is released for at least 72 hours,” suggested the WRD official.
Recently, a group of social activists from the State along with the Keri Panchayat had taken part in a cleaning drive from Keri to Sakhali and had collected over 1 tonne of garbage.
