After February’s high iron scare, tap water in Keri now safe, says Goa's PWD minister Nilesh Cabral

PORVORIM: PWD minister Nilesh Cabral on Wednesday told the House that on February 17, due to opening of the bottom gate of Anjunem dam by the water resource department, iron content of raw water increased from 0.1 mg/l to 1.8 mg/I. He said that pre-treatment of the water was carried out and supply to Keri and other villages in Poriem was safe for consumption.
Poriem MLA Deviya Rane raised the issue during calling attention, stating that muddy tap water is being supplied since February in Keri village of Poriem constituency. PWD and WRD laboratories have tested the quality of raw water and found high iron ore content, she said. “This is a very serious issue, as it concerns the health and well-being of people of Keri village.”
Cabral said that water supply to Keri, Shiroli, Ravana and Ghonteli of village is provided from the 2MLD pressure filter plant commissioned in 2014 and that the source of raw water is the Anjunem dam.
“The treated water quality is monitored at regular intervals and periodic samples are tested at Dabose water testing laboratory to ensure clean and safe drinking water supply. As per the routine measures, the department immediately started pre-treatment of raw water by dozing lime-alum to bring down the iron content within the permissible limit, ie 0.3mg/l,” said Cabral.
The quality of treated water is being checked on a daily basis and laboratory tests are being done periodically to ensure that the quality parameters of treated water are within the permissible limits it is actually supplied to end consumers, he said.
“The lime-alum dose was stopped on May 20 when the iron content of raw water recorded was less than 0.3mg/L. Hence, there should be no fear and anxiety in the minds of the consumers of Keri village,” said Cabral.