A report by The Goan Everyday from interviewing shack operators regarding a solution to the sewage problem in South Goa. Published after a Mini STP demo by Unison in Goa:

With the beach shacks coming under the scanner over sewage disposal, South Goa-based shack owners are evinced interest in the mini sewage treatment plants (STP) designed by Chennai-based company Unison.

The company held a demo for the benefit of the shack owners as well as officials of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) at Benaulim on Monday to explain the sewage treatment process.

Even as the shack owners evinced keen interest in the STP offered by the Chennai-based company, they, however, raised a pertinent question – whether the government will give any relaxation for the genuine and traditional shack owners with a fixed period of running the business since they will be investing huge money on the STPs.

President of Goa Shack Owners Society Cruz Cardoso pointed out that the shack owners will need assistance from the government, the Tourism department and Minister Rohan Khaunte to address the concerns of the shack owners when they are ready to implement STPs for the beach shacks.

“The shack owners are ready to go for these STPs along the beach belt. But, many have a question, whether they should invest in the STPs if they have no idea whether they will get the shack in the new season or not?” Cruz said, adding that they will discuss the matter with the government to address their concerns.

Cruz pointed out that the government should come out with a shack policy for the traditional shack owners who have been in the business over the years.

“We are not opposed to newcomers in the shack business, but those who are in the business for the last several years should be given consideration so that they also put up facilities such as the STPs to handle the sewage and kitchen wastewater,” he said.

Unison representative pointed out that the STPs designed by them are intended for the starred resorts to handle sewage as well as mixed effluents.

“Given that the beach shacks are located along the coastline, a cluster of beach shacks can come together and form a group. The sewage and effluents generated by these shacks can be channelized into a holding tank before the same is treated by the STP.”

The official said the company does not sell the plants since it is tricky to maintain them.

“Our business model is simple, we offer the pants, but charge the consumer per litre of treated water. We can talk to the Goa Pollution Control Board to see their requirement for sewage treatment from the beach shacks,” he said.

Saying that the company does not use any chemicals to treat the sewage, the company representative added that power is the only raw material required to run the plant.

“The treated water is as good as potable water. You can use the treated water for gardening and other purposes,” he said, adding that Made in India technology plant is being exported to countries in Europe and Canada.

The Goan Network