SANGUEM: Executive Engineer S R Paranjape and a team visited the Selaulim Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) on Saturday morning, amid reports of non-functioning pumps and high levels of manganese at the SWTP.
During his visit to the plant, Paranjape clarified that the non-functional pumps had been repaired and added that residents in Sanguem and Curchorem have been receiving turbid water at times due to their proximity to the water plant.
“The manganese content at the SWTP has increased manifold over the past few years and this has severely affected the functioning of the SWTP. Huge quantities of manganese have settled at the bottom of the tanks used in storing and supplying potable water,” Paranjape told media persons at the site.
“The twin constituencies of Sanguem and Curchorem are the first to receive water from the plant and hence, they are more likely to receive turbid water. The turbidity decreases as water travels to other places in South Goa,” he added.
When asked why the PWD was unable to resolve the problem of turbidity at the SWTP, Paranjape expressed helplessness in the matter.
“It would take us several days to get the tanks cleaned and we would be forced to stop water supply to South Goa during this time,” he added.
PWD officials also collected samples of drinking water supplied to the citizens from Sanguem and Curchorem to verify the purity and quality of water consumed by the locals.
“When the SWTP was made functional in 1989, the department had planned the water requirement for the next 25 years. However, the demand for water supply has increased manifold over the years. Despite the capacity of 160 MLD of water supply per day, the department at times supplies 220 MLD of water from the SWTP,” said Paranjape.
To address the growing demand for water supply, Paranjape informed that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) plant at Xelpem near the SWTP would be completed soon.
“Work to construct the JICA plant is in full swing and it will be completed in a year’s time. Once the JICA plant starts functioning, all the drinking water problems faced by the people in South Goa will be solved,” informed Paranjape.
During his visit to the SWTP, Paranjape also assured to provide the much-needed canteen facility to workers employed at the SWTP. At present, workers employed at the plant have to travel all the way to Sanguem town for refreshments, light snacks and food.
