Rains flush out waste from Colva creek
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JUNE 15
Nature came to the rescue of the Colva village panchayat and other authorities on the sensitive question of cleaning and de-silting the contaminated Colva creek.
Even as the authorities were groping in the dark how to clean up the creek clogged with waste and sewage, the first monsoons showers gave a big respite to the panchayat body.
For, with the monsoons finally setting in the state, the creek (handi) stands washed and cleaned by the waters from the Arabian Sea, which has found its way in the water channel as is the annual phenomenon.
A look at the creek revealed that the waters appeared free from the waste and stagnant waters. This comes against the backdrop of the directions issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board to the authorities, including the Colva panchayat to stop the discharge of sewage and waster waters in the creek.
In fact, various government agencies had last month deliberated on various options at its disposal how to clean up the Creek and free the nullah from the contaminated waters. One solution suggested by the panchayat body was to engage the Water Resources Department to de-silt the water channel. Another suggestion put forth by the agencies was to engage the Sewage Corporation of Goa to deploy night soil tankers to remove the sewage waters from the creek and empty the same in the Margao sewage treatment plant.
The Goa Pollution Control Board had last month warned that an epidemic looms large over Colva in view of the rampant discharge of sewage and waste waters in the creek.
In fact, analysis of sample water from the Colva creek collected by the Board has revealed that the levels of dissolved oxygen were below the permissible limit.
The sample testing had revealed that the creek waters were greenish in colour, emitting an offensive smell and a thick layer of scum was seen floating on the surface, indicating that the creek water does not meet the primary water criteria for Class SW III Water.
Rains flush out waste from Colva creek
MARGAO, JUNE 15 Nature came to the rescue of the Colva village panchayat and other authorities on the sensitive question of cleaning and de-silting the contaminated Colva creek.
