Close on the heels of the Dabolim housing society tragedy that affected over 150 residents due to leakages in the faulty sewage treatment plant, comes a shocking report from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) that most of our beaches are highly polluted and unfit for bathing, fishing, and water sports due to the high faecal coliform content, exceeding 300% of the permissible limit. Even our major rivers like Mandovi, Sal, and Zuari are found to be polluted due to the uncontrolled discharge of raw sewage into the river waters. Particularly disturbing is the pollution of the River Khandepar at the Opa water works that supplies drinking water to the state. If the matter goes unchecked, it may not be long before we witness an epidemic of major illnesses and health problems in the state. It is therefore time for the Water Resources Department to wake up and smell the coffee before it is too late.
