Thursday, March 28, 2024

BWA says it is not at fault at River Bay

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After conducting investigations at River Bay, St Lucy, on Tuesday, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) determined it was not their work which obstructing the water course.

On Monday, some residents in the area complaining about the stench of stagnant water emanating from the gully where water is supposed to run into the sea. Jermaine Johnson said it became more of an issue after work done by the BWA.

“The sea isn’t the problem, it’s the gully. That is a water course that goes all to Spring Hall. Fresh water flows to the sea and the sea pushes salt water up the course but the BWA put down a pipe recently and that is stopping the water from going back to the sea so it only gathering and stagnating. I know the NCC (National Conservation Commission) sometimes brings a tractor here to help clear the course but they said it is really a drainage matter. Something needs to be done to get the flow of water going again,” he said.

The gully is blocked and a stench is affecting nearby residents. (Picture by Jameel Springer)

This prompted BWA personnel to revisit the area to see what was happening. In a media release, the BWA said they were not at fault.

“The Authority would have replaced a significant amount of main in districts abutting and abounding River Bay, St Lucy between 2019 and 2020 to address discoloured water issues. Around the same time, the BWA would have replaced a main that ran across the river on columns. This main was dislodged from its supports during periods of heavy rainfall.

“The replaced main was buried where it crossed the river bed and covered with a layer of concrete and as such does not pose any impediment to the flow of water in the river as the pipeline is below the basin of the river,” it said.

However the statement said the authority did see the water course was blocked and they would be making recommendations.

Sargassum seaweed blankets the inlet at River Bay, St Lucy. (Picture by Jameel Springer)

“It is clear from the investigations that the stench is emanating from the lower end of the gully. In that area, the Sargassum Seaweed has been driven higher up into the gully by the unusual high tides and high surf. Given the recent lack of rainfall, the gully has not been flushed naturally which would have moved the seaweed out of the area.

“The Authority has reached out to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy to address the removal of the Sargassum Seaweed. This action should allow the natural flow of seawater determined by the tides to resume without obstruction,” it said. (CA/PR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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