Water level depleting from 9 to 27 percent in Goa

PANJIM: With the water level depleting from 9 to 27 percent in Goa, it would be difficult times ahead for the water tanker suppliers who draw water from "unknown" sources, adding to the depletion of water level in the state.

The High Court has asked the government to provide a complete list of water tankers operating in state, consumers they are catering to and how is the monitoring of their activities done.

Amicus Curiae Norma Alvares brought to the notice of the Court that the Goa Ground Water Regulation, 2002 has been promulgated and what is required is declaration regarding scheduled, water scarcity and over exploited areas. Norma also pointed out that around 257 water tankers are operating in the state as per the affidavit filed by Water Resources Department and we don't know from where they are drawing water.

She stated that from scheduled areas you can annually take 30,000 lts water and from over exploited areas, prior permission needs to be taken to draw water. To this, the Court observed that why is water tanker required, except for construction purpose, if Goa has good water facility as claimed by the state government?

Further, the division bench of Justice RMS Khandeparkar and Justice RS Mohite questioned the state government about the quality of metres purchased, which becomes defective in 6 years. The Court wanted to know whether the metres are purchased after being tested through scientific methods within two weeks.

The Public Works Department had submitted that the process of replacement of defective water meters is a continuing process and normally the installation of new metres takes about 6 months for the entire procedure. About 7,500 metres had to be replaced/repaired and steps to procure durable water meters wherein the supplier will have responsibility to maintain the same for 6 years.

Further, the High Court as joined as a respondent Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in connection with the date for approval and implementation of the guidelines for sitting of industries, prepared by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB). The guidelines for siting of Industries in North and South Goa prepared by GDPCB states that 32 industries have an impact potential to air and surface water pollution higher than the pollution receiving potential of the zones available for siting of industries in South and North Goa, which should be restricted from siting.

The report further states that it is not suitable to site industries with high and water pollution impact potential in these two districts since no dispersion of emissions and no dilution will be available for effluents if discharged in the rivers/ water bodies in the districts. The report adds that the rivers and water bodies are sources of water supply and irrigation in the districts and must be protected.

On approval of the same by CPCB, the Zonal Atlas for siting of Industries and Industrial siting guidelines will be forwarded to the state government for approval/ implementation.