Amidst all the controversy with respect to discharge of raw sewage from the Margao Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) into the river Sal due to operational fault, it is shocking to note that there is a provision made in the STP complex for the discharge of raw sewage into the river Sal.
According to the PWD Minister, who incidentally is also the Environment Minister, it is reportedly done at all the 3,000 plants set up under the technology across the country.
It is understood that the provision is made to tackle any situation in times of emergency when the plant fails for a couple of days. There is every possibility of the operator discharging the sewage water into the river continuously instead of repairing the treatment plant. This was probably the case with the Margao STP.
There should be absolutely no provision for release of raw sewage from a STP into the river. If this contaminated water is used for drinking it can cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, etc.
