St. Joseph Vaz Institute of Education, Cortalim organised an environmental field Trip for the students of First and Second Year D.El.Ed to OPA Water Works Treatment plant, Khandepar and Birondem Farm, Valpoi on 14th October 2023. The students were accompanied by the eight lecturers of the D.El.Ed. (St. Joseph Vaz Institute of Education) along with the coordinator, Dr. Allan Abreo. The objective of the field trip visit was to provide an understanding on how the water and pipelines are treated to ensure safe and clean water to the people of Goa. The OPA water works complex was originally an 8 MLD (Millions of liter per day) plant, but has undergone capacity expansions for times till now. First it was 12 MLI plant in 1967, 55 MID plant in 1972, 40 MLD plant in 2000. and the latest 27 MLD in 2020 there plants together. treat and supply 140 MLD water to Tiswadi and Ponda taluka. This includes Panaji, Bambolim, Taleigao, Ribandar, and the entire taluka Ponda. Students sought the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the project. Students gathered information of the regular water work that is done there and also our students got to know more information about, how the water bed management is actually done. Students got to know why the management of water bed and water tank is needed for the purification of water. The Resource person there also gave information about the mixture of calcium salts (alum) and its role in removing the insoluble impurities in the water tank by making water further purified and safe for drinking.
In the Birondem Farm, Rev. Fr Angelo talked about the different plants that were planted in the different parts of the property. He also shared some of the important uses of such plants. He spoke about the two streams which provided clean water to the people, animals and plants. He mentioned that the name of the farm is “Zogati” Nature farm and according to him the name, “Zogati” was chosen from the waterfall sound. He further stated that the Lakshimi plant (Simarouba glauca) is grown in wide variety there. The plant is used to cure various sicknesses especially cancer, diabetes and also the malarial fever. In the farm there were cattle’s, birds and different animals which enhanced the beauty of the environment all together. Overall, it was a wonderful trip.