Are Margao buildings contaminating wells?
ARVIND TENGSE, MADGAO | 17 May 2013 15:43 IST
Contaminated wells in Shirvodem area of Margao will be tested once again.
South Goa collector N D Agarwal issued the directive yesterday after inspecting few wells in the area.
Local BJP leader Sharmad Raiturkar has complained that 20 wells in Shirvodem were contaminated due to seepage of sewage water.
Locals also alleged that the contamination was caused due to the seepage of sewerage from residential complexes, which have come up in Shirvodem recently.
The local health department officials will conduct the tests and submit the report as fast as possible.
Agarwal admitted it is a serious matter and he would act in this regard as soon as the report comes.
The inspection was conducted along with Margao Municipal Council chief officer Deepali Naik, Health Officer Dr. Sanjay Dalvi and sanitary Inspector Viraj Arabeker, besides Raiturkar.
Not only in Margao but throughout Goa, buildings have come up, septic tanks and sock pits dug - many of them near the traditional wells from which people have been using water for ages, thus contaminating the precious water.
People notice this only when water runs out of taps and they have to use well water. Till then, nobody bothers.
Tests should be made on the wells throughout Goa to find out how many wells have been contaminated.
Most of the panchayat authorities issue NOCs to construct buildings without properly checking whether proper distance is maintained from the wells while digging sock pits and septing tanks for the toilets of the buildings.