------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After PWD water, now some city wells are contaminated ! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All doesn't seem to be well in Panjim as the efforts to tackle the problem of jaundice have received a set back following a discovery that wells in the city from where water was supplied to some restaurants and eating houses are contaminated. The Panjim Urban Health Centre which has been testing water samples from wells, within the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the City of Panjim, have found well water contaminated by coliform organisms (e-coli) which can lead to typhoid, jaundice and other intestinal ailments.
Around four wells and a bore well in Panjim have all tested positive for coliform organism. This includes a well at Bhatlem near Datta temple from where private tankers had been extracting water and supplying the same to restaurants and eating houses near National theatre.
Epidemiologist of the Directorate of Health Services Dr Rajendra Tamba said following the report of the water samples, all the contaminated water sources are not being used. The health officer concerned promptly stopped further extraction of water from the wells, he told Herald.He also made it clear that no contamination was found in all the other wells in the city after their water samples were examined by the DHS.
It may be recalled that since August 4, water supply to restaurants and eating houses near National theatre had been disconnected following the seepage of sewerage into the water supply lines in this area.The hoteliers have since then been resorting to water supplied from tankers.
While a well behind Moderna and another behind Hotel Neptune have all been found contaminated, a bore well near Hotel Aroma has also tested positive for coliform organisms, officials said.
Dr Tamba asserted that no restaurant has been using water from their nearby wells/bore-well for the last two weeks. The affected restaurants had been buying water from outside - PWD and private. He said that water samples have been taken from all the affected restaurants and no contamination has been found whatsoever so far. Wells in their premises may be contaminated but they are not in use, he said.
The Urban Health Centre, Panjim has taken water samples of another well at Bhatlem also near Datta temple for testing. In the meantime the one already found contaminated near Datta temple has been disinfected and a sample taken again for re-testing. In the meantime, water samples from two more wells, one near Church Square and the other near Mahalaxmi temple, which are a major source of water extracted by tankers and supplied to city restaurants have also been sent for testing.
However, officials disclosed that results of water samples sent for testing to the Directorate of Health Services would take around a week during which it is apprehended that water tankers will continue to extract water and supply the same in the city. According to information, 90 per cent of Panjim's 600 wells have been closed while the remaining are still being used and may also face closure if tested positive for contamination.
Interestingly, water supplied by tankers of the PWD have so far not been found contaminated as the same is being taken from reservoirs and not extracted from wells.In a meeting convened by the Collector North Goa S S Keshkamat today, the issue of well water contamination was highlighted. The Urban Health Centre, Panjim was directed to continue with the tests of well water in Panjim and were also urged to expedite the same.
It was felt that warning notices be erected near those wells found to be contaminated and sealed if required.Mr Keshkamat has also directed that well water in other areas of Ponda and Mapusa also be tested.
Interestingly the Food and Drugs Administration expressed helplessness in carrying out inspections and test sampling of water and food owing to lack of staff. Similarly, the Water Resource Department, one of the most important departments to be co-ordinating with others on the aspect of water contamination was not represented at today's meeting.
Meanwhile, 20 more cases were reported of viral hepatitis from all over the state, 14 of which were admitted in the GMC. The total number of persons affected by jaundice is 319.
Dr Tamba said that people who have been eating in restaurants outside Panjim need not worry as nearly all the cases reported so far have shown the origin in the capital city in and around Nacional. --------------------------------- HERALD 30/8/03 page 1 -------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
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