NT Reporter
Vasco
In a step to contain the ongoing water contamination scare in Sancoale, the Mormugao administration has directed Zuari Indian Oil Adani Ventures Private Limited (ZIAVPL) to assist in pumping out the water from the well located within the premises of Our Lady
of Health Church in Shindoli, Sancoale.
Acting on instructions from Deputy Collector Bhagwant Karmali, workers deployed pumping equipment at the site and removed around six barrels of contaminated water suspected to contain petroleum products.
Officials said the operation was undertaken as a precautionary measure after residents reported an oily film and a strong fuel odour from the well.
The extracted water has been contained for further testing and disposal, while samples have been sent to the Goa State Pollution Control Board to determine the exact nature of the
contamination.
In previous incidents in the Dabolim belt, contamination of wells was linked to suspected leakage from the multi-product pipeline that carries fuel from Mormugao Port to storage tanks in Sancoale.
The administration has advised residents not to use water from the affected well for drinking or cooking until laboratory reports confirm it is safe. Fire and emergency services, along with health and pollution control officials, have been monitoring the site to prevent any fire hazard due to the presence of fuel residues.
Further action will be taken once laboratory analysis establishes whether the contamination originated from a pipeline leak, illegal dumping or seepage from nearby industrial infrastructure. Meanwhile, local authorities have increased surveillance of surrounding wells to ensure the contamination has not spread to other groundwater sources.
