A week after a well was found contaminated with traces of petro-product at Matvem-Dabolim, it is learnt that streams and nullahs have also been found to be contaminated. The water containing fuel traces will eventually flow into the Zuari River. This can become a health hazard as fish contaminated with fuel will find its way to the fish markets. The fuel will contaminate the groundwater which will also affect the fields in the locality. It will also lead to the death of marine species in the river. It is learnt that oil companies have so far removed as many as 30 tanker loads of water from the well but were unable to find the cause of the contamination. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) needs to take note of the water contamination and work with the oil companies to solve the problem. Since the pipelines have been closed they should not be opened until the fault is found and rectified. The reason for the leakage also needs to be looked into so that such incidents do not occur in the future.
