Criticism is rising against the Town and Country Planning department, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, and Panchayats for permitting multiple swimming pools in housing projects mainly for buyers from outside Goa. We are aware that swimming pool water does need to be disposed of properly; else it can be hazardous to the health of people, plants, trees, vegetation in the area. It isn’t just “ordinary water”; swimming pools often contain chlorine, bromine, algaecides, stabilizers, and sometimes salt, all of which can harm the environment if released carelessly. High chlorine levels can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory systems of humans and pets if they come into contact with improperly discharged water. In many progressive places there are stringent laws/fines on how swimming pool water is to be treated but in Goa there does not appear to be any controls. Will this also not contaminate wells or ground water in the area? To all activists particularly in villages like Colva, Sancoale etc who are fighting against licences to swimming pools, please include the same in your opposition to the indiscriminate construction licences being given to swimming pools.
