TEAM HERALD
VASCO: Fear gripped around 50-odd residents of Zorint, located near the Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd (ZACL) gate, when they began getting contaminated water on Wednesday morning.
The panic-stricken residents alerted Sancoale panchayat sarpanch Ramakant Borkar about the contamination of the tap water and the latter contacted Dr Socorro Quadros of the Cortalim Primary Health Centre and the ZACL officials about the incident.
“When I reached the site, the tap water smelt of ammonia. The ZACL is transporting ammonia through tankers and there is no ZACL pipeline passing through the residential area,” said Borkar.
“While authorities are probing the water contamination, residents will be supplied water through water tankers,” he added.
When contacted, Dr Quadros said he had inspected the site and had sent the water for tests. “The tap water did smell of some chemical, but I would not be in a position to confirm the contamination until I get a report from the laboratory,” said Dr Quadros.
Dr Quadros has urged residents not to consume the tap water, till the water samples are tested and requested Borkar to make arrangement to supply water by tankers to the affected residents.
When asked to comment in the matter, ZACL PRO Anand Rajadakshya expressed surprise that the water could have been contaminated by ammonia.
“ZACL does not have an ammonia pipe line running through the Zorint residential area and, moreover, we transport the ammonia from the port through tankers,” said Rajadakshya. “However, a ZACL team is trying to ascertain the source of the contamination.”
PWD Assistant Engineer Vishambar Bhende, who rushed to the site, stated that they will isolate the water line and will try to find the source of the leakage, which led to the contamination of the water supply in the area.
Mormugao Deputy Collector Gaurish Shankwalkar and Mamlatdar Laxmikant Desai were also present at the site to take stock of the situation.
