Goa Human Rights Commission Takes Action on Water Contamination Allegations
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has escalated its investigation into alleged water contamination at a residential complex in Chicalim. On Friday, the commission issued formal notices to the secretary of health and the member secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board. This action follows a complaint filed by residents of Prabhu's Violetta Complex, who have raised serious concerns about the safety of their water supply.
Previous Notices and Official Response
This development comes just one week after the commission had already issued notices to other key officials. Those earlier notices were directed at the chief executive engineer of the department of drinking water, the assistant engineer of the water resources department, and the builder Prabhu Realtors.
When the matter was heard on Friday, Dattaraj Pai Kakode, the executive engineer of works division IV in the department of drinking water, presented a detailed submission. He stated that comprehensive testing of the water supply to Prabhu Violetta Complex had been conducted, with results confirming the water was "safe, free of contamination and fit for drinking and other domestic consumption."
Water Supply Infrastructure Details
The department provided specific technical details about the water supply system. According to their submission, water is supplied to buildings A, B, C, D and E at Dabolim from a substantial 300 cubic metre ground-level reservoir located near NSD Cabolim. This supply travels through an independent 150mm diameter ductile iron pipeline specifically dedicated to this purpose.
Three separate water connections were established for the project:
- Two connections designated for domestic use
- One connection serving a commercial establishment
The department emphasized that water supply to the sump is maintained for over 12 hours daily, ensuring consistent availability. All these connections were officially released in December 2022, establishing the timeline of the water service implementation.
Recent Inspection and Testing Results
In response to the residents' concerns, the drinking water department conducted a thorough site inspection on March 18. Following this inspection, water samples were collected and subjected to comprehensive laboratory analysis. The test reports dated March 20 included physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis of the samples.
All test results confirmed that the water was "safe, free of contamination and fit for drinking and other domestic consumption," according to the department's official statement.
Additionally, the health department independently collected samples from the departmental water supply. Their analysis also concluded that the water was safe and potable, providing corroborating evidence of water quality.
Ongoing Investigation and Resident Concerns
Despite these official assurances of water safety, the Goa Human Rights Commission has determined that further investigation is warranted. The issuance of notices to both health and pollution control officials indicates the commission is taking the residents' complaints seriously and pursuing a comprehensive review of the situation.
The commission's actions highlight the tension between official test results and resident experiences, creating a complex situation that requires careful examination of all available evidence and perspectives.
