NWC takes charge of sewer systems

Blythe

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE National Water Commission (NWC) has been mandated to take over the operation and maintenance of defective sewer systems in some communities developed by Government agencies.

The directive came from the Ministry of Water and Housing, which charged the NWC to take full responsibility for the faulty sewer systems and repair them, then recover their losses from the developing agency.

"It is the policy of the Ministry that the NWC should take over all waste water systems that are under the control of Govern-ment agencies," Minister Dr. Karl Blythe told The Sunday Gleaner in a recent interview. "The NWC... should take all steps to take them over, then evaluate the problem and charge the appropriate agency or Ministry that has the responsibility for the development."

In the past, the NWC has refused to take responsibility for sewer systems in several housing developments, often citing the inability of those systems to handle the amount of sewer generated by the community. The Tryall Housing Scheme in Sandy Bay, Hanover and the Cornwall Courts Housing Scheme in Greenpond, St. James, are two such schemes which the Minister has advised the NWC to take over as soon as possible. Malfunction-ing sewer systems in both communities, emitting foul odours and providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests, have been the source of discomfort for the residents.

"In the Cornwall Courts situation...let's not talk about (who developed) the scheme and that it has not been brought up to the standard where NWC should take it over," Dr. Blythe declared. "Go ahead and take it over and repair, then charge (the agency), and fight with them to pay the bill. But don't allow the people to suffer."

NWC President Everton Hun-ter welcomed the decision to take over the affected systems, but explained that discussions were still ongoing regarding the cost of this venture.

"Conceptually we don't have a problem with us taking over the facilities, " Mr. Hunter said. "...The challenge posed by this initiative is how do we get sufficient capital to carry out the rehabilitation of these facilities wherever they exist, and that is something which we are pursuing with the Ministry."

The move is also expected to bring additional revenue to the NWC, which will now be able to charge customers sewerage rates.

"We see it as an opportunity for boosting our revenue," Mr. Hunter said. "They will now be charged the normal sewerage rates that we charge our other customers."

The NWC has not yet decided whether it will hire additional staff or tender contracts, to handle the operation and maintenance of these systems.

D.C.

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