EDITORIAL: Solution needed soon!

The problem with sewage control on the South Coast has been well documented in recent months. The issue has been a severe headache for residents and businesses in the area and a brief but bothersome ordeal for some tourists to the island. And, with the race to the polls fast approaching, the South Coast sewage issue has also become a political football for parties contesting the May 24 General Elections.

However, this issue is bigger than a political party and a five-year term. This issue is as big as the 166-square miles of this island and impacts every single citizen of this country. To make the troubles on the south coast a political one is a grave mistake. Regardless of which party is to blame through past actions for the state of the South Coast presently, or even which party forms the next government, there is no winner in this equation. Unless the situation is remedied, there will be only losers.

And a solution is needed now. A recent video circulating on social media showed sewage flowing from a property along the coastline down into the sea. The video was disturbing and highlighted the seriousness of the matter. The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) yesterday responded with a statement saying that a sand-bag barrier has been temporarily created to minimise drift of waste water as septic tanks to address the issue will soon be installed.
It further stated that the BWA is currently completing the drilling of a series of injection wells, and three of those well heads are currently being prepared for connection to the plant in hopes of correcting the problem. All of the wells should be completed and operational by the middle of the year.

At this stage, one can only pray that the efforts under way will be successful. Yet, there should be more accountability. And not accountability by politicians alone, accountability by those putting pressure on the sewage system.

There has been the occasional warning to members of the public not to improperly dispose of certain materials that can clog sewage lines, but any observer can see that a vast number of hotels line the South Coast so visitors and not residents may actually contribute to a lot of the damage being done to the sewage system. Hoteliers therefore should shoulder more responsibility in making sure that their waste disposal systems are adequate for their capacity and that staff are trained in the correct guidelines for waste disposal and use of chemicals on the compound, and that notices are put up for guests on correct usage as well. Likewise restaurants and other businesses should do the same.

In the final analysis, the South Coast sewage crisis should be a hard lesson learned on the need for research, proper planning and implementation and the need for continuous upkeep of crucial infrastructure in this country, especially when it helps support a major money-earner for the economy. Those in politics should pay attention to what is occurring now in once popular destination island of Boracay, which has been closed to tourists following rapid development, pollution and inadequate sewage treatment. Every single day that goes by without a fix is one day closer to irreparable damage to this country’s reputation as a destination of choice.