Pollution of St Inez creek continues with authorities failing to reach a solution

A recent study conducted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) con􀏐irmed the presence of raw sewage in the creek’s water. 27 samples from different locations were tested for several parameters including bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), E-coli and coliform bacteria. “It is certain that the creek is in bad condition and there are four main reasons for this. The existence of dwellings along the side of the nullah is the main cause for the creek being so polluted,” said GSPCB chairman Jose Manuel Noronha. The board has also said it would draw up a road map to purify the creek, and will be installing 10 rigs to provide oxygen to the water, which was almost nil at most of the 27 check points. The problem of raw sewage also plagues the creek with the untreated water being released from the sewerage treatment plant (STP) in Tonca. In the past too, the creek has received much attention with several people and organisations involving themselves in clean up drives and campaigns, though most have only helped touch the surface. The issue lies in solving problems of siltation as a result of human activities, the heavy discharge of raw sewerage and stagnation of water due to decomposition of organic matter. In the past, social activists including Kashinath Shetye and Sanjay Sarmalkar had approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) due to the pollution levels following which GSPCB conducted an inspection in December 2014 following directives from the NGT, though the stinking problem still continues.