Mapusa: Local women from Mainwada in Korgao, Pernem, have warned of a protest march outside the taluka office of the drinking water department if they fail to supply clean water within a week.They said that around 15 households have been receiving muddy, saline and foul-tasting tap water for more than a year and alleged inaction by authorities. Residents suspect salt water is entering the pipeline due to a leak near the Mansi sluice gate area.“We pack water bottles for our children to the school, but they return home without taking even a single sip, complaining that it tastes awful. The water is excessively salty and brackish. It causes severe sore throats and persistent body aches,” said Savitri Korgaonkar.“For a whole year, we have been forced to deal with this foul, salty tap water. We are tired of compromising on our health,” said Bhagirathi Mainkar.“We are going to wait and watch for improvements for just one more week. If the department fails to provide clean, drinkable water by then, we will march straight to their office in a massive morcha to demand accountability,” they said.Villagers also complained about irregular billing, alleging that water meters are read only once every four months, leading to inflated charges.Separately, in Sattari taluka, where larvae were earlier found in tap water, the Goa Human Rights Commission directed the public works department and the health department to implement comprehensive safety measures and mandated that water meters be checked every three months.
