PANAJI: Raising concerns over the deteriorating quality of river water in Goa, Union minister of environment, forest and climate change, Prakash Javadekar, said that the total coliform and faecal coliform levels were over the normal levels and therefore not matching the desired water quality criteria at some locations in the state.
Total coliform is generally widely distributed in nature and the number of total coliform bacteria in the environment is still widely used as an indicator for potable water in the US. Faecal coliform is a subgroup of coliform used to establish the first microbial water quality standards. The presence of faecal coliform in water indicates that fecal contamination of the water has occurred and that consuming the water or swimming in the water may result in illness.
Javadekar was responding to a question posed by Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik regarding the pollution level of rivers and rivulets in Goa.
In his written reply, Javadekar pointed out that dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in River Mapusa near the culvert on the Mapusa-Panaji highway and in River Sal near Khareband, Margao, were below the preferred levels.
Dissolved oxygen refers to the level of oxygen present in water bodies and is an important parameter in assessing water quality. It is vital for the survival of fish, invertebrates, bacteria and plants.
Javadekar went on to highlight the poor biochemical oxygen demand levels in some of Goa's rivers. The amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in the river in breaking down sewage is known as the biochemical oxygen demand.
"Water quality of rivers with respect to bio-chemical oxygen demand, a key indicator of organic pollution, is meeting the desired criteria except in River Mandovi in neighbourhood of Panaji city; River Sal at Khareband, Margao; River Mapusa near culvert on Mapusa-Panaji highway; River Chapora near Alorna Fort, Pernem; River Bicholim at Varazan Nagar and River Sal at Pazorkhoni, Cuncolim," said Javadekar. Sources said that water from these rivesr is not directly used for drinking purpose.
The Union minister went on to state that as per the report titled 'Status of Water Quality in India-2012' of central pollution control board (CPCB), the state pollution control board of Goa carries out the water quality monitoring of rivers Zuari, Mandovi, Kalna, Valvant, Madai, Khandepar, Talpona, Tiracol, Singuerim, Bicholim, Chapora, Mapusa, Sal, Kushawati and Assonora.
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