Netsol Water Solutions

PANAJI: Potable water supplied through the Selaulim water treatment plant is safe for consumption with the manganese content within permissible limits, states the Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB) water quality report. The board conducted analyses from April to July, following complains. The analyses were carried out at the board's laboratory in Panaji and at the Margao-based Italab (Goa) Pvt Ltd, approved by the ministry of environment and forests. On Tuesday, GSPCB chairman Jose Manual Noronha told TOI that the manganese levels found were within WHO-specified limits for drinking water. While the content in April was 0.10 mg/litre, it was 0.05 mg/litre in May, 0.07 mg/litre in June and 0.04 mg/litre in July. The background document for development of WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality notes that concentrations below 0.05 mg/litre are usually acceptable to consumers, although this may vary with local circumstances. GSPCB, meanwhile, has recommended that the governme

PANAJI: Shortly the adventure of white water rafting could be experienced in Goa too. Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC) has floated a tender for empanelment of contractors to start the activity. The process for starting white water rafting was initiated two years ago after Goa forest development corporation (GFDC) allowed a promoter to conduct trial runs on the Surla tributary and Mhadei river. After testing the safety and feasibility aspects, the exercise was declared successful for commencing the activity in the hinterland. "But the proposal was held up due to some factors," GTDC source said. The feasibility exercise was carried out on the 18-km stretch of Surla-Mhadei. "The Surla tributary and Mhadei river stretch has 35 rapids and holds good potential for white water rafting," a source said. The white rafting location is around 15 kms away from the Valpoi town. The GTDC is considering of interlinking this activity with other attractions in Sattari e

PANAJI: While in Spain, the official World Tourism Day host, and the rest of the world, tourism day functions will focus on 'Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development', in Goa, the tourism industry is already adapting to alternative energy sources, like solar energy. For the industry, this brings benefits in two ways: hoteliers save on energy and there are economic advantages. "The tourism industry is already using sustainable energy sources. Most hotels have solar-powered water heaters and use CFL light bulbs. Besides, kitchen equipment that use a lot of energy are being replaced by energy-saving appliances. These cost more, but in the long run the industry saves on energy and running costs," Travel and Tourism Association of Goa spokesman Ralph de Souza said. He proffered the examples of five-star and four-star hotels that are required to compulsorily have sewage treatment plants and who utilize the treated water for gardening