THE EDITOR, Sir:
This Government and its agencies have failed to listen to the concerns of the citizens of Haughton Grove and its environs in eastern Hanover. It is obvious that the health of the citizens would be at risk if a funeral home is permitted to establish a cemetery in the area.
The facts are:
1. The pumping station is in close proximity to the proposed cemetery and most of the water that goes into the pumping station flows on the surface, therefore, natural purification is compromised.
2. During rainfall, high traces of faecal coliform are found in the water.
3. The records of the water quality inspectors over the years will prove this.
4. The only form of treatment that takes place at this plant is the chlorination of the water, which is subject to breakdown.
5. The system is not closely monitored making the matter more serious.
6. At the proposed site of the cemetery, a pond is at present back-filled. As a result of this situation, when there is heavy rainfall, the water that would flow into the pond would now spread and cover the whole area. Therefore, instead of the situation where the houses of the living are flooded out like that at Kennedy Grove, those remains left in the grave would be flooded out in Haughton Grove.
7. Will they allow the water run-off from the site to flow onto the main road that is only separated by a boundary wall?
Was the National Water Commission (NWC) contacted before the approval was given? The thousands of decent law-abiding citizens whose health is at risk should supersede the interest of a funeral home. The time is now to do the right thing.
I am, etc.,
HOWARD K.P. MOSES
Hopewell P.O. Hanover
