Short-term fix
THE Barbados Water Authority (BWA) is working on a temporary fix to the South Coast sewage crisis.
As long as all goes well, those affected by the ongoing problem should be breathing a sigh of relief as early as this week.
Up to late last night, the Authority’s management was having discussions with representatives from a Trinidad-based engineering company, regarding the creation of a temporary “bypass line” to stop the manholes from overflowing, causing a headache for residents and businesses in the area.
This assurance came from the head of the Waste Water Division at the BWA, Patricia Inniss, yesterday, as she updated the media on the issue which has resulted in at least one business closing its doors, and others complaining about the stench coming from the sewage water.
“Therefore, if it rains or we have extra load, the lines can take it. This will put the effects of the problem to a halt so that we can deal with the problem.
“The representatives from the Trinidad company are flying into the island on their own speed to assist. They have sourced the material for the bypass for us in interest of time. We are waiting and hoping that things happen quickly,” Inniss said.
The Minister is advising Barbadians that the installation of the bypass line is the first phase of fixing the problem. She explained that BWA is also seeking assistance from international companies to “engage phase two of the project, and that is the repair”.
“But we know the Christmas season is here and we are mindful of the concerns of tourists and our citizens. We need the relief for them and we need the relief of the BWA need the relief too so that we can concentrate on fixing the repair process of the network,” she said.
“People seem to think that the BWA don’t know what they are doing, and the problem is just bubbling up. But the truth is that we are working around the clock to find solutions to the problem. We also clean and sanitise and wash down the affected areas. To say that we are doing nothing is far from the truth,” Inniss added.
Authorities at the BWA have indicated that the problems affecting the South Coast sewage network is a blockage in the collection system and a leakage in the force main. The problems identified are in the Worthing area.
Director of Engineering at the BWA, Charles Leslie, explained to the Barbados Advocate that the process of installing the bypass line involves installing pumps upstream to pump around the blockage.
“Once we begin to do that, the flow will not be by gravity any longer. The pumps will suck it out and force it on to the other side. So, it will move a lot faster. It will lower the levels on the upstream side to stop the water from spilling over into the road and that will give us that much needed temporary relief,” Leslie said. (AH)