Goa's Mandovi River Found to Have High Faecal Coliform Levels Beyond Permissible Limit

The Mandovi river in Goa's capital Panaji has been found to have high faecal coliform levels. Beyond the permissible limit, at all the sampling points in a study, an interim report by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has flagged before the High Court of Bombay at Goa.

The river, which flows through the city and is a lifeline for the coastal state, has six offshore casinos anchored in it.

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Results from a comprehensive water quality assessment reveal a concerning trend: samples taken at 22 monitoring stations consistently exceeded permissible limits. With faecal coliform counts varying widely between high and low tide. The bacteriological parameters, in particular, showed significant fluctuations, ranging from 130 to 540 MPN/100 ml during high tide and 130 to 940 MPN/100 ml during low tide.

Notably, the Central Pollution Control Board's guidelines for the SW II category appear to be largely adhered to, with only minor deviations in chemical parameter readings.

Researchers have found that fecal coliform levels in water samples taken during low tide were significantly higher than those collected during high tide. Suggesting a possible connection to the downstream movement of water into the sampling area. The elevated levels may be attributed to the presence of sewage effluent in the affected waters.

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According to the GSPCB's records, staff responsible for overseeing sewage collection and disposal have found no evidence of wastewater from Patto's casinos being released into the Mandovi estuary.

The GSPCB is aiming to identify and contain the pollution from non-point sources, the report said. The report also highlighted that the effluent outfall from Penha De Franca storm water drain. Rua De Ourem and St Inez Creek in increasing effluent volumes are of serious concern.