MARGAO: The fears expressed by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) were proved to be real following the inspection of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), that confirmed the presence of faecal matter in the polluted Colva creek.
Following complaints filed by Judith Almeida, CCCF secretary, GSPCB recently held an inspection of the creek where samples of water from the creek were collected for testing.
Almeida has for years now, been citing the discharge of raw sewage into the creek by commercial establishments nearby as well as the dumping of garbage into it by visitors to the beach as the reasons behind the creek’s high pollution levels.
In response to GSPCBs findings, she criticised the authorities for failing to stop the pollution of the creek despite the government reiterating that it has taken measures to address this issue.
The volume of faecal coliform found in the creek was 780 units per 100 ml.
“Faecal coliform parameter is exceeding the permissible limits,” read the GSPCB report.
GSPCB also noted that the ‘stangant’ water’s colour was turbid and odour unpleasant and that an oily film was formed over the water’s surface.
Incidentally, as part of the Colva Creek Cleaning and Rejuvenation Programme being carried out by the Water Resources Department (WRD), excess sand at the mouth of the Colva creek connecting the sea, has been removed using an excavator so that the water from the creek flows into the sea.
While GSPCB recommended that such activities continue to maintain the flow of the creek, the fact remains that the creek water flows through the beach now and visitors come in contact with the polluted water.
GSPCB also pointed out the 40 KLD Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was installed by WRD at the bank of the creek without having obtained the ‘consent to operate’ and it recommended that a notice be issued to WRD for operating the same without GSPCB’s consent.
The authority further observed garbage containing plastic bottles, disposable plates and cups, plastic wrappers were seen floating over the water's surface.
While acknowledging WRD’s efforts to clean the creek, GSPCB recommended that an alternative solution may be planned by the concerned department to stop the littering and throwing of garbage in the creek.