The water was tested by the Directorate of Health Services, Environmental and Pollution Control Wing. It has submitted a report to the Margao Urban Health Centre (UHC).
After the bacterial examination, Coliform organisms were found to have contaminated the water. “The water therefore cannot be recommended for human consumption as such,” read the report.
In April, Margao health officer Dr Sanjay Dalvi had sent a letter to the PWD’s sewerage department directing them under the Goa Public Health Act,1985 to take urgent action against this pollution. He pointed out that their office, along with officials of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and Goa State Pollution Control Board, had conducted a joint inspection on March 5 to ascertain whether the nullah at the old market was polluted by sewage. He added in his letter that sewage drained into the nullah at several places.
MMC chief officer Naveen S L had also written a letter to the department requesting correction measures be taken to stop the pollution of the nullah water. He observed that the sewerage chambers were overflowing and creating unhygienic conditions. He listed the nullah running from the old market behind the civic court and the sewerage chamber at Maddel near the Goa State Horticulture kiosk as examples.
