Water quality of 39 lakes deemed worst by state pollution board

Panaji: The water quality of 39 lakes spread across Goa has been classified as Class E, which is the worst level and unfit for outdoor bathing. Most people in the state go to lakes for a summer dip. The lakes were tagged Class E mostly because the water in these water bodies is stagnant.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) submitted the water quality data of the lakes to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The central authority periodically reviews water quality data of aquatic resources monitored under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).
The water quality data of stagnant water bodies, including lakes, tanks, and ponds for the year 2023 was compared with primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing.
“It is to inform that 39 locations are classified as Class E (irrigation, industrial cooling, controlled disposal) based on the designated best use of the water body, and some of the water bodies show a slight variation with respect to pH and conductivity,” the GSPCB said.
The water bodies are Ambulor lake, Bandolem lake, Batim lake, Betal temple lake, Bondvol lake, Canturlim lake, Carambolim lake, and Cottombi lake.
The others are Curca lake, Curtorim lake, Dashi lake, Dhakte (Diuler) lake, Dhulpe lake, Durga lake, Gawali-Maula lake, and Kamala lake.
The list also includes Karmale lake, Khandepar lake, Macasana lake, Maimollem lake, Malebhaat lake, Mayem lake, Nanda lake, Orlim lake, Panchami lake, Parra lake, and Pilerne/Saulem lake.
The other water bodies are Raitollem lake, Saipem lake, Sappu Tollem (Tollea Bandar), Sarzora lake, Sulabhat lake, Talaulim lake (Talsal lake), Tarvale lake, Tarvalem lake, Toyyar lake, Udden lake, Vodle Tollem, and Xeldem lake.
“Harvalem waterfall and Anjunem lake are classified as Class C based on the designated best use of the water body and are complying with the Class C parameters,” the GSPCB said.
A senior officer said, “Water is classified as Class A to Class E, and Class A is the best quality of water, whereas Class E is the worst quality.” The officer added, “It means that lakes classified as Class E are not fit for outdoor bathing but only for irrigation, industrial cooling, and controlled discharge.”
The Central Ground Water Board’s annual groundwater quality report of 2024 said that Goa’s groundwater remains among the safest for human consumption in the country on more than six parameters, with contents like fluoride, nitrate, and others in 100% of samples tested from the state.
Panaji: The water quality of 39 lakes spread across Goa has been classified as Class E, which is the worst level and unfit for outdoor bathing. Most people in the state go to lakes for a summer dip. The lakes were tagged Class E mostly because the water in these water bodies is stagnant.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) submitted the water quality data of the lakes to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The central authority periodically reviews water quality data of aquatic resources monitored under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).
The water quality data of stagnant water bodies, including lakes, tanks, and ponds for the year 2023 was compared with primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing.
“It is to inform that 39 locations are classified as Class E (irrigation, industrial cooling, controlled disposal) based on the designated best use of the water body, and some of the water bodies show a slight variation with respect to pH and conductivity,” the GSPCB said.
The water bodies are Ambulor lake, Bandolem lake, Batim lake, Betal temple lake, Bondvol lake, Canturlim lake, Carambolim lake, and Cottombi lake.
The others are Curca lake, Curtorim lake, Dashi lake, Dhakte (Diuler) lake, Dhulpe lake, Durga lake, Gawali-Maula lake, and Kamala lake.
The list also includes Karmale lake, Khandepar lake, Macasana lake, Maimollem lake, Malebhaat lake, Mayem lake, Nanda lake, Orlim lake, Panchami lake, Parra lake, and Pilerne/Saulem lake.
The other water bodies are Raitollem lake, Saipem lake, Sappu Tollem (Tollea Bandar), Sarzora lake, Sulabhat lake, Talaulim lake (Talsal lake), Tarvale lake, Tarvalem lake, Toyyar lake, Udden lake, Vodle Tollem, and Xeldem lake.
“Harvalem waterfall and Anjunem lake are classified as Class C based on the designated best use of the water body and are complying with the Class C parameters,” the GSPCB said.
A senior officer said, “Water is classified as Class A to Class E, and Class A is the best quality of water, whereas Class E is the worst quality.” The officer added, “It means that lakes classified as Class E are not fit for outdoor bathing but only for irrigation, industrial cooling, and controlled discharge.”
The Central Ground Water Board’s annual groundwater quality report of 2024 said that Goa’s groundwater remains among the safest for human consumption in the country on more than six parameters, with contents like fluoride, nitrate, and others in 100% of samples tested from the state.