PANJIM: In three years, the polluted river stretches in Goa have declined from 11 to six, bringing in much needed relief. However, what remains worrying is that these six stretches identified across major rivers of Zuari, Sal and Mandovi have got biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) greater than the permitted limit of less than 3.0 mg/L, making it highly polluted and unsafe for bathing.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), last month, released water quality data for years 2019 and 2021. In 2018, total 11 stretches in Goa were identified to be highly polluted.
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CPCB has named rivers stretch of Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Khandepar, Mapusa and Kalna as polluted rivers under Criteria IV and V that is having BOD between 6-10 mg/L and 3 mg/L respectively.
“Water Quality of six rivers in Goa was monitored at 30 locations during the year 2019 and 2021, out of which, 10 locations on 6 rivers were found non-complying to the prescribed Water Quality Criteria with respect to BOD. The names of the six polluted rivers are Kalna, Khandepar, Mandovi, Mapusa, Sal, Zuari,” the report stated.
Five rivers stretches fall under Category V – Kalna River along Chandel (4 mg/L), Khandepar River along Khandepar (4.2mg/L), Mandovi River along Amona (3.7mg/L), Mapusa River along Karaswada (5 mg/L) and Sal River from Khareband to Assolna (6 mg/L).
The Zuari River stretch from Panchawadi to Marcaim (6.4mg/L) falls under Category IV.
The report also stated that improvement in water quality has been observed in seven polluted river stretches identified during the year 2018 and accordingly they are removed from the list of polluted stretches.
In 2018, total eight river stretches fell under Category V; those were – Assonora to Sirsaim (Assonora), Bicholim to Curchirem (Bicholim), Ponda to Opa (Khandepar), along Candolim (Sinquerim) along Tiracol (Tiracol), Sankli – Bicholim to Poriem (Valvanti) and Curchorem to Madkai (Zuari).
Two river stretches were categorized under category IV – Marcela to Volvoi (Mandovi) and along Canacona (Talpona). The river stretch from Khareband to Mobor (Sal) was under Category III.
