The govt needs to ensure professional monitoring of STPs to prevent a Dabolim-kind of situation
More than 150 diarrhoea cases were reported from a single residential block, and thus the Dabolim housing complex made it to the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Some of the residents required hospitalisation. Residents lodged a police complaint against the builder, alleging illegal discharge of untreated sewage on the premises, thereby endangering public health. The Cortalim Primary Health Centre, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), and Food and Drugs Administration were involved in examining the outbreak, and water samples from bore wells, underground sumps, treated sewage lines and even a swimming pool were taken. South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus said that the Goa State Pollution Control Board, during the inspection, found serious lapses in the functioning of the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at the premises, including discharge of untreated sewage. The tests conducted by the Health Department on multiple water samples revealed that samples from the garden pipe outlet, borewell and borewell tap outlet were contaminated. The discharge of untreated sewage was immediately stopped and the borewell was sealed.
Efforts apart, this case throws up important issues. For one, it highlights serious concerns about the quality and safety of local water supplies, including how borewells and plumbing are maintained and monitored. So many cases in a single building show gaps in timely detection, public health responses, sanitation standards and emergency medical preparedness to contain outbreaks quickly. Sewage treatment and drainage also face question marks. The situation has also drawn attention to land use and urban development practices, more so where rapid residential construction could have outpaced adequate environmental impact assessments. Public debates have linked such problems to governance and planning lapses.
Goa has had a long battle with water-borne disease outbreaks and epidemic illness. For this, one could partly blame climate, monsoon flooding, dense settlements and inadequate sanitation. In recent decades, Goa has periodically reported diarrhoeal diseases (including gastroenteritis, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A/E outbreaks). This is especially true in fast-growing urban belts such as Panaji, Margao and Vasco da Gama. More than two decades ago, Panaji was hit by an epidemic-like situation. More than 140 persons were affected by jaundice in July-August 2003 when some water pipes got infected by a punctured sewerage pipeline. Besides, water supplied by tankers reportedly also contributed. Within a few days, faced with a health crisis, several restaurants were ordered to be shut. Last year, a similar situation was reported in Cutbona, the fishing hub of South Goa.
Historically, the clearest example of disease shaping Goa’s destiny was the decline of Old Goa (Velha Goa). From the 16th to 18th centuries, this once-prosperous capital of Portuguese Asia was devastated by recurrent epidemics such as malaria, cholera-like enteric diseases, plague and fevers. This was worsened by marshy terrain, stagnant waterways, overcrowding and poor drainage. In 1843, the Portuguese formally shifted the capital to Panaji (Nova Goa), chosen for better ventilation, its riverfront setting and perceived sanitary advantages.
Proper disposal of sewage has been a major issue in Goa for the past two decades. The government shows serious concern only when people are hospitalised or when it turns into an epidemic-type situation. Most of the major towns and even tourist places such as Calangute have been connected to sewerage networks. But how many are really functioning professionally? The Dabolim outbreak tells us that more needs to be done quickly in water quality governance, public health systems and sanitation infrastructure.
