Activist files affidavit in HC as wastewater discharge persists despite presence of STP
The Colva creek water overflowed into a sizeable stretch of the beach. Locals dug up a trench to channelise the wastewater into the sea.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
It’s a sheer coincidence that when the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning pollution of the water body was scheduled to come up for hearing in the High Court on Wednesday, the Colva creek was in the news back at the world-famous Colva beach.
Reason: Locals, as well as the petitioner in the High Court, activist Judith Almeida, pointed out that wastewater from the creek had made its way onto the beach, occupying a sizeable stretch of the shore.
To alleviate the problem plaguing the beach over the last two days, local stakeholders dug a trench on the beach to channel the water entering the beach from the creek into the sea.
While the trench has helped to direct the wastewater from the creek into the sea, the petitioner has said that the situation has only highlighted the issue of wastewater discharge into the creek. The situation has also reminded everyone that all is still not well with the safe disposal of sewage, even though a 7.5MLD sewage treatment plant is in place at Colva.
“Today, I have filed my affidavit in the High Court since the matter regarding the Colva creek contamination and the status of the Colva STP was scheduled to come up for hearing on Wednesday. Back home, I was informed that waters from the Colva creek had flowed onto the beach stretch, causing nuisance and a health hazard,” she said.
She added: “I am appalled by the development. It’s high time the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) takes strict action against those responsible for discharging the wastewater into the creek.”
In fact, Judith called GSPCB Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro to complain about the rampant discharge of wastewater into the Colva creek, which had found its way onto the beach.
The 2011 PIL was filed by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum to highlight the contamination of the Colva creek waters due to the rampant discharge of sewage and wastewaters by commercial establishments.
Sadly, while the government has set up the 7.5MLD STP at Colva to treat the sewage and prevent it from finding its way into the Colva creek, there has been an inordinate delay in the implementation of the project to date.
