Sewerage coverage in Goa 16%, way short of national average of 28%

PANAJI: Despite being considered as one of the developed states in infrastructure development, Goa’s sewerage coverage is merely 16%, much lower than the national average of 28%.
“Presently the sewerage coverage is of about 16% in the state of Goa with respect to 28% national average. Only three cities have proper sewerage systems in Goa which include Panaji, Margao (part) and Vasco. Works are in progress in the north coastal belt of Mapusa, Porvorim, Ponda and south coastal belt of Navelim,” a senior officer said.
The state government is of the opinion that with the thrust on urbanization and tourism development in Goa, sewage treatment and disposal of waste water is of paramount importance to avoid environmental degradation.
“It is necessary that the state of Goa is covered with a well planned sewerage scheme. With this aim it was proposed to develop sewerage schemes in various cities and other municipal areas for collection, conveyance, treatment and discharge,” a senior officer said.
The official said that sewerage treatment is a priority of the state government to ensure good quality ground water. The official said that since people are hesitant to take sewerage connections, the state had introduced various schemes but it hasn’t made a big difference.
The government has prepared an action plan to use treated waste water from sewage treatment plants to reduce the stress on existing water resources. The plan is to push usage of treated water for various purposes, including agriculture, farm forestry, toilet flushing and industrial and commercial uses.
The government has also set a deadline of the next two years to create infrastructure and other facilities to achieve this goal. As per the plan sewage treatment plants in Vasco, Margao and Ponda can use treated water to maintain public parks and dust control.
Industries can use treated water as processing water, cooling water, recirculating cooling towers, washdown water, washing aggregate, making concrete, soil compaction and dust control.
In areas like Vasco around two to three million litres per day (MLD) water can be supplied to Mormugao port authority and Zuari industrial estate each for their use.