Colva, Nov 8 (TOI): The issue of treated water to be released in the sea after the Colva sewage treatment plant is functional, dominated the Benaulim constituency developmental projects review meeting in the presence of Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao along with South Goa collector Tariq Thomas, held at the Matanhy Saldanha administrative complex, Margao, on Wednesday.

Villagers of Colva strongly objected to the discharge of treated sewage water in the sea as it would badly affect tourism and suggested that it be released in the ground as it would recharge the groundwater.

Water resources department (WRD) officials said plans are afoot to build tanks to store the treated water and then to transport it in trucks for disposal. Alemao has maintained that the department must incorporate it in its plans and send it to the local body for approval. Till then, no work should be carried out at the site, he said.

Thomas emphasised the need to work in tandem with the department, sharing the plans with the MLA and the panchayat before carrying out such works. He also instructed WRD engineers to organise a meeting with the panchayat and give a presentation of the functioning of the treatment plant.

WRD tabled the status of 15 works in Benaulim constituency. Residents also demanded replacement of speedbreakers on the Margao-Cavelossim road which were removed during the BRICS summit in 2015. Thomas directed the PWD to immediately comply with the request.