Team Herald
VASCO: Environment engineers from Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) visited Dabolim following a complaint by Chicalim Bio-Crusaders against a builder for discharging sewage waste into the public drains.
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As per the details provided by Cyril Fernandes from Chicalim, a three-member expert team led by Assistant Environment Engineer Ashley Pereira inspected the discharge site at the commercial-cum-residential complex in Dabolim under the jurisdiction of Chicalim Panchayat.
They were assisted and briefed on the discharge by Chicalim Bio-Crusader Edwin Mascarenhas who took the panel to the location where the said sewage water flows and enters into the lower based Chicalim ward of Assoi. The experts made an assessment of the problem at this site.
The team later inspected the natural spring site of Assoi where the local residents complained that recently the water was emanating a foul smell and they feared for their health. They claimed that earlier they used to safely consume the spring waters without fear. However, recently they have started boiling the spring water before consuming it, Fernandes added.
The locals pleaded with the experts to stop the flow of sewage water and also clean the springs from existing contamination. The engineers gave them a patient hearing and promised to help resolve the problem.
It may be recalled that Chicalim Bio-Crusaders member Edwin Mascarenhas and Cyril Fernandes, on Sunday, lodged a complaint with the GSPCB and Vasco Police Station about the sewage water being discharged into the open public drains by promoters and owners of a commercial cum residential complex near a mega mart.
The Vasco Police had reached the site and had confirmed the discharge taking place.
The Chicalim Bio-Crusaders raised fears that there are possibilities of their natural springs and the ground water table getting contaminated with the sewage being discharged into the open. Water from such discharges percolates into the ground merging with the underground stream of the local natural springs as well as contaminating the ground water table, they alleged.
