Sunday, 2 March 2014

Sewage responsible for 70% of river pollution

MUMBAI: A government survey reveals that the sewage from cities, villages and towns is polluting the state's rivers in a much bigger way than industrial wastes. According to the government data, 70% pollution in the catchment areas of 20 major rivers is caused by untreated sewage flowing in from towns and villages as against 30% of river pollution being caused by the industrial wastes. According to the study, this pollution has led to a growing number of jaundice and diarrhoea cases.

Keeping this in mind, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved a river conservation plan. Under this, the government will provide funds to villages, towns and cities to treat sewage and ensure that only purified water is released in the rivers.

"To stop pollution of river, sewage following from cities and towns will be diverted and treated for farming and industrial purposes under the scheme. Initially, small municipal corporations, councils and village panchayats will be funded by the state to set up sewage treatment plants," said the Tuesday's resolution.

"The river catchments along the towns, which are religiously, historically, industrially important will be given priority under the scheme," it added.

Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/sewage-responsible-for-70-of-river-pollution/articleshow/30637433.cms

Saturday, 1 March 2014

CM inaugurates Navelim sewage treatment plant

MARGAO: Chief minister Manohar Parrikar and Navelim MLA Avertano Furtado inaugurated the 20 MLD sewage treatment plant in Navelim on Sunday.

The 20 MLD STP, which also includes a pumping station, will now take care of all the sewage that was earlier being dumped into the nullah and Salpem lake. The sewage will now be treated at the STP and the treated water will be discharged into the river Sal.

For years Navelim locals had been complaining about the contamination of river Sal by the indiscriminate dumping of sewage into the nullah and Salpem lake, which are connected to river Sal. The construction of sewerage chambers at strategic points will now resolve this issue.

"The work of cleaning river Sal had started two months back and will be completed in one year's time. As assured, the river will be free from the sewage pollution from next year," said Parrikar while addressing the gathering.

Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cm-inaugurates-navelim-sewage-treatment-plant/articleshow/30531445.cms

Sewage pipes pouring into Mandovi troubles greens

PANAJI: Waste water and sewage pipes from nearby residences in Penha da Franca have been illegally passed through the newly-constructed retaining wall with their spouts in River Mandovi, raising a concern about the worsening pollution of Goa's lifeline.

Water resources department (WRD) recently commenced construction of a concrete retaining wall along the northern bank of the river from Malim towards Penha da Franca as part of a flood control measure.

Mangroves have been felled to clear small patches of the area to construct the wall at a cost of 1.28 crore in Malim. The project is likely to be completed by May 2014.

"But surprisingly, the department has allowed provision for passing of waste water pipes through the retaining wall," Agnelo Pereira of the Penha da Franca citizens forum (PFCF) said.

Part of the staggered project from Malim to Virlosa wards is complete and promptly spouts were seen in some stretches to let off waste water into the river.

National institute of oceanography (NIO) had found higher levels of bacteria for recreational bathing and even for fishing in Mandovi and Zuari rivers in a seven-year study till 2007. As per the European blue flag beach criteria, a coliform count in excess of 5 (colony forming units) CFU/ml in natural water is considered unsafe for bathing.

Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/sewage-pipes-pouring-into-mandovi-troubles-greens/articleshow/30485580.cms

Sewage pipes pouring into Mandovi troubles greens

PANAJI: Waste water and sewage pipes from nearby residences in Penha da Franca have been illegally passed through the newly-constructed retaining wall with their spouts in River Mandovi, raising a concern about the worsening pollution of Goa's lifeline.

Water resources department (WRD) recently commenced construction of a concrete retaining wall along the northern bank of the river from Malim towards Penha da Franca as part of a flood control measure.

Mangroves have been felled to clear small patches of the area to construct the wall at a cost of 1.28 crore in Malim. The project is likely to be completed by May 2014.

"But surprisingly, the department has allowed provision for passing of waste water pipes through the retaining wall," Agnelo Pereira of the Penha da Franca citizens forum (PFCF) said.

Part of the staggered project from Malim to Virlosa wards is complete and promptly spouts were seen in some stretches to let off waste water into the river.

National institute of oceanography (NIO) had found higher levels of bacteria for recreational bathing and even for fishing in Mandovi and Zuari rivers in a seven-year study till 2007. As per the European blue flag beach criteria, a coliform count in excess of 5 (colony forming units) CFU/ml in natural water is considered unsafe for bathing.

Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/sewage-pipes-pouring-into-mandovi-troubles-greens/articleshow/30485580.cms

State cancer hospital gets only 3% of its water quota

AURANGABAD: Barely one-and-half-year since the first Government Cancer Hospital (GCH) in Marathwada was inaugurated; it is facing severe water supply problems as it receives barely three percent of its daily requirement from the civic body.

The hospital, which was built at a cost of Rs 50 crore, gets water supply at very low pressure every two days, like the rest of Aurangabad city. The supply of 5000-10,000 litres once in two days is woefully short of daily requirement of almost two lakh litres.

While the hospital administration relies on private water tankers for their daily needs, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has blamed the Public Works Department (PWD) for failing to inform them about the water requirement during the construction of the premises.

To add to the hospital authorities woes, the AMC issued a notice a few days back asking them to pay pending water bills of Rs 51,69,167 since September 2012 based on the 8-inch pipeline water connection. The hospital authorities replied to the notice by requesting the civic body to charge as per the meter reading.

The hospital requires about two lakh litres of water every day and has to rely on tankers. The hospital had to hire at least 5-6 tankers of 10,000 litres capacity every day and incur the expense of about Rs one lakh per month.

"Though an independent water supply pipeline of 8 inches has been laid, the water is supplied by the AMC in low pressure. The hospital receives only 5000-10,000 litres of water every second day, the civic body should reconsider the charges levied," hospital authorities said.

"Moreover, the meter at the hospital has been non-functional since it was installed. We have repeatedly requested the civic body to repair the meter and levy charges as per the readings. But, the civic body officials told us to get the water supply arrangement done from the PWD instead of approaching the AMC," hospital authorities alleged.

"In spite of repeated pleas to consider the revision of water bills, the civic body is stern in its move and has demanded the hospital to clear the bills after which the meter would be repaired," said hospital sources.

Hospital authorities said that they had also requested the civic body to lay a separate pipeline from Harsul lake, which is two kilometre away from the hospital premises. "They are citing financial crisis and have asked the hospital to bear the financial burden. Since this comes under emergency services, it should be treated with priority," said a hospital official.

AMC's executive engineer Hemant Kohle said, "The PWD should have consulted and informed about the hospital's water requirement to the civic body before developing the project. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Moreover, the area where the hospital is located faces water scarcity and the civic body manages to provide water to the area from Harsul Lake. The meter installed by the PWD too is non-functional and the responsibility lies with the PWD to maintain it. If the hospital gets the meter repaired we would definitely levy the charges as per the meter reading."

Kohle assured, "The proposal to connect the water supply pipeline to the main line at Jubilee Park has been sanctioned and the estimate of the work has been prepared. The work will start soon and the hospital's water problem will be solved."


Daily Requirement: 2 lakh litres

AMC Supply: 5000-10,000 litres every two days

Water through tankers: 4-5 tankers of 10,000 litres capacity per day

Budget on tankers: Rs One lakh per month

BOX:

Cancer hospital gets independent ambulance

Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/State-cancer-hospital-gets-only-3-of-its-water-quota/articleshow/31445387.cms