Goa: GSPCB to curb release of raw sewage into water bodies

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will take measures to ensure establishments, including hotels, don't release raw sewage into the state's water bodies.

The decision was taken during the board's meeting last week, a statement from the GSPCB said today.

"Members were informed that closure directions have been issued to three units discharging their waste in the creek close to Baga beach (in North Goa)," GSPCB chairperson Ganesh Shetgaonkar said.

He added that surprise inspections would be undertaken to curb the problem of raw sewage being discharged into creeks, rivers and other water bodies.

The pollution control body also discussed ways in which waste water can be reused by the hotel industry for purposes like flushing apart from construction activities.

The statement said that Board members deliberated on the necessary infrastructure, including dual pipelines and collection tanks, that needed to be put in place for this purpose.

"It was decided that the Board may write to local authorities to encourage the construction of dual pipelines," Shetgaonkar said.

In another decision, the GSPCB decided that Mormugao Port Trust, located in Vasco town, about 40 kilometres from here, should examine a proposal to use water treated by the Baina Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for activities connected with coal handling.

Two firms were recently given permission to handle coal at Mormugao Port.