An interim environmental study of the Mandovi River has found that offshore casinos are not responsible for the contamination. Instead, domestic drains and urban nullahs, particularly the heavily polluted St Inez Creek, are discharging untreated sewage into the river. However, the report submitted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board to the High Court paints a grim picture, revealing that 100% of the water samples tested during the 2026 monsoon season exceeded safe microbial limits for faecal coliform bacteria.