Pollution Board checks sewage disposal at Colva hotels
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JULY 8
The Goa State Pollution Control Board on Thursday conducted random checking of hotels and restaurants in Colva to check the compliance of measures to contain sewage disposal into the storm water drains.
Information reveals that Board officials inspected as many as 12 hotels on Thursday and found that some of the establishments are yet to either install Sewage Treatment Plants or operate them as per norms.
The team warned the hotels and establishments of strict action for the failure to implement the pollution control measures. It is learnt that during inspection, one of the establishment was found to have installed a STP, but it was not in use.
The team has taken water samples to ascertain the pollutants released in the water without treatment.
Sources said the pollution control team also visited the panchayat to find out the measures taken by the local body against the hotels and establishments violating the sewage treatment norms.
Colva Civic and Consumer Forum secretary Judith Almeida informed that the team would compile the report on today’s inspection. “The Forum would again take up the issue of discharge of sewage into the creek and storm water drains,” Almeida said and demanded that the authorities initiate action against the establishments not fulfilling the pollution norms.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board had a month ago issued a host of directions to government agencies to prevent an epidemic in the coastal village in view of rampant discharge of sewage into the creek and other water bodies.
