MARGAO: Due to the rise in the water table inside the Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP) in Sirvodem-Navelim, the STPs are no longer allowing private night soil tankers to dispose of their raw sewage, leaving tanker operators in Salcete taluka with no options for sewage disposal.
A reliable source revealed that the gate installed at Kudchadkar hospital was opened due to the rains, causing all wastewater flowing through the nullahs into the rivulet to divert into the STP. This led to an increased water table inside the STP. The decision to stop accepting sewage was made to prevent overflow from the STP into nearby cultivated fields.
Since Saturday, private tankers have been denied entry to the plant, posing a conundrum for the owners of these tankers. In order to continue getting work, they need to empty their tankers of sewage collected from households and businesses that are not connected to the sewerage network.
Meanwhile, Margao residents fear an increase in incidents of raw sewage being released into open fields or nullahs as tanker owners struggle with disposal until the gates at Kudchadkar hospital are closed.
Santano Faleiro, a night soil tanker owner, expressed the difficulties they are facing due to this halt. “Not allowing private night soil tankers has resulted in major problems for disposing of raw sewage from septic tanks of private houses and establishments. We request at least one trip into the plant,” he urged.
Sources say that continuous rainfall and the diversion of waste water from the nullah into the plant over the past few days have raised the water table. The gate at Kudchadkar hospital, usually kept closed, was opened to prevent sewage and rainwater from entering agricultural fields, which would pose significant problems for farmers.
Due to the increased water table caused by the diverted sewage and rainwater, the STP is currently disallowing more raw sewage from private night soil tankers.
