Vasco: Water contamination surfaced in yet another area of Vasco after residents of Shindoli village in Sancoale found a well in the premises of Our Lady of Health Church polluted with petroleum substances on Monday. Preliminary investigations suggest that the contaminant is likely diesel, although officials are awaiting detailed laboratory reports to confirm the exact nature of the substance.
Dabolim has recently been in the news over the nearly 160 cases of diarrhoea, including a few typhoid cases, reported from a housing complex in Dabolim following contamination of bore well water.
Officials from department’s concerned arrived at the site and conducted tests on Monday.
During the inspection, water drawn from the well reportedly ignited when exposed to flame, confirming the presence of petroleum-based contaminants.
Worried over the health risks posed by the contamination, the church authorities immediately stopped the use of the well water. The water was being used for drinking water and watering plants.
The issue came to light when locals noticed a strong petroleum-like odour emanating from the well over the past two days. As the smell intensified, suspicions arose that fuel had mixed with the water.
Local residents have demanded strict action and compensation, alleging that negligence or leakage from nearby petroleum storage facilities or petrol pumps in Sancoale may have caused the contamination.
Authorities are examining whether the fuel entered the well through underground seepage or from another source.
Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas visited the site and reviewed the situation with officials.
This is not the first such incident in Mormugao taluka, as similar cases of petroleum contamination in wells have been reported in the past. Such incidents raise concerns about environmental safety and monitoring of fuel storage facilities in residential areas, said locals. Further investigation and laboratory analysis are expected to determine the exact cause and extent of contamination.
