PCB officials visit Colva beach, collect samples
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, APRIL 15
Goa state Pollution control Board officials made their presence felt at the Colva beach nearly a week after the Water Resources Department sought to desilt the stinking Colva creek by connecting the water channel to the sea.
GSPCB Scientific assistant Chaitanya Salgaonkar and lab assistant Waman Chari descended at the beach this afternoon following allegations made by the local NGOs over the contamination of the creek waters by discharge of sewage and kitchen waste.
The two officials collected samples from waters stagnated at the trench and the creek for investigations and to identify the nature of the discharge.
The duo, were reportedly taken aback when they found traces of raw sewage in the creek, indicating the sad state of affairs. They also went along the course of the creek and also inquired with the hotel and restaurant owners over the mod of discharge of sewage and kitchen waste. In fact, the officials noted down details from the establishments and the Sulabh Sauchalaya over the nature of disposal system adopted by them for the treatment of waste and sewage in their premises.
The Convenor of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum, Judith Almeida, who took up the matter with the GSPCB and other authorities, explained the pollution board officials the state of affairs of the Colva creek.
The Forum has now demanded that the government levy fees on the establishments to set up a waste and effluent treatment system in the coastal village.
The sample testing report is likely to be completed within a week’s time, sources said.
