Team Herald
MARGAO: The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) has called for immediate and lasting measures to address the persistent pollution of Colva Creek, following an inspection conducted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on December 20.
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The inspection, attended by local representatives including the Colva Panchayat and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, revealed that raw sewage still made its way into the creek, posing a serious threat to environment and public health.
Judith Almeida of CCCF and the petitioner in the ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Colva Creek pollution and Colva Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), hit out at the authorities for dragging their feet in initiating action and demanded strict enforcement against establishments responsible for the discharge, noting that the problem extends beyond the creek’s toilet blocks to include various establishments and a problematic sewerage network.
The inspection uncovered evidence of untreated wastewater entering the creek and flowing onto the iconic Colva beach. GSPCB officials collected water samples for testing, and the findings are expected to bolster the case for urgent intervention. Viegas emphasised the necessity of immediate action, stating, “To keep Colva Creek clean, action must be taken against establishments discharging sewage, and the State government must step up to resolve this issue.”
The MLA also called for the closure of toilets and changing rooms near the creek managed by the Tourism Department, stressing that improperly managed sewage facilities harm not just the environment but also Goa’s reputation as a tourist destination. With the festive season underway, he warned that unchecked pollution could deter visitors and tarnish the image of Colva beach.
Colva sarpanch Suzy Fernandes highlighted a similar crisis in March last year when sewage from changing rooms and toilets was discharged into the creek. Despite inspections and police complaints, she noted a lack of transparency and accountability from authorities regarding where the sewage is being redirected.
The pollution crisis has long plagued Colva, reflecting broader systemic failures in Goa’s waste management infrastructure. The inefficiency of the Colva Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), with a capacity of 7.5 million litres per day, has been a focal point of criticism. The plant has repeatedly failed to prevent untreated or inadequately treated sewage from leaking into the creek.
