Panaji (Goa): The open defecation is turning out to be major cause for pollution of most of major rivers in the State; reveals the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in its annual report for 2016-17.

Chief Secretary cum Chairman of the Board Dharmendra Sharma released the Board annual report on Monday on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The board monitored 52 water bodies in the state for the period April 2016 to March 2017 under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP). The monitored water bodies include the rivers of Tiracol, Chapora, Kalna, Mhadei,Valvanti , Bicholim, Assnora, Sinquerim, Khandepar, Mandovi, Mapusa, Zuari, Sal, Talpona, Khandepar, Kushawati, besides the Anjuna lake, Mayem lake, Carambolim lake, Salaulim lake, Raia lake, Saipem lake, Curtorim lake and, borewell and agriculture canals near all industrial estates in the state.

A total of 565 samples were collected from all these water bodies and analysed during the year, out of which 489 samples were analysed for 27 parameters, 24 samples for four parameters, and 76 samples for micro pollutants, the board report said.

The water sample data was interpreted using the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards prescribed for river classification based on the designated best use of the water body.

“From the water quality data analysis it is found that fecal coliform level in the rivers of Mapusa, Mandovi, Sal and Zauri does not meet the prescribed CPCB standard and total coliform exceedance in the water samples of rivers Bicholim and Valvanti was observed throughout the year,” the board reported.

When contacted, the Board official said the high fecal coliform in water bodies is a result of open defecation and release of sewage. With high fecal coliform, the oxygen level decreases, that affects the aquatic life.

Team TNV