Toxic foam surfaces at Colva circle drain

Toxic foam surfaces at Colva circle drain

COLVA: The master storm drain on the periphery of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) is polluted to the extent that it has started spewing a white foam just like Bengaluru’s Varthur lake, though not in such volume.

The storm drain starts near the Fatorda swimming pool and goes upto Mungul along the road to Colva and empties into low-lying reas.

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The SGPDA market releasing its effluent in a storm water drain puts the spotlight on the inefficient waste disposal system in and around the area. Why are there are no sewage pipes leading from the market complex to the sewage treatment plant? The contaminated water is being released in open areas and can pollute ground water. The authorities must stop pointing fingers and address the problem.

Most facilities, like the swimming pool, the SGPDA market and its exhibition ground, and even the Margao Kadamba Transport Corporation bus stand have been built on reclaimed land. This nullah was constructed to drain out rainwater, which otherwise would flood the reclaimed land. Even the area around the South Goa district and sessions court sees water accumulating during the monsoon.
A source from the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) said that the sewage from the market, which was being released in the master storm drain, was the cause of the pollution. Besides sewage, the drain is also full of plastic bottles.

Since earlier this week, a small amount of foam has been seen accumulating at the mouth of the master drain. 

Ward councillor Lyndon Pereira said that only part of the master drain, near the swimming pool, is cleaned, and that the entire stretch, which is more than a kilometre long, has never been cleared. When the froth was brought to his notice, he said the council does not have the machinery required to clean the drain. Pereira said he would ask the water resources department, through the local MLA Vijai Sardesai, to do the needful.

A study conducted in 2008 by the department of environmental science, Bangalore University, for the ministry of environment forest and climate change states that formation of foam indicates presence of nitrates above the permissible level. The nitrates come from urine and faecal matter.

Soaps and detergents are sources of sulphates and phosphates. When the mixture of nitrates, sulphates and sewage flow through the drain over stones, a lather is formed.