BALACLAVA, St Elizabeth — Water Minister Donald Buchanan has sought to allay fears that sections of the island’s domestic water supply is being contaminated by the use of asbestos pipes.

The pipes in question are said to be made from asbestos concrete which poses no health threat, he said, adding that they will nevertheless be replaced.

Councillor for the Balaclava Division in St Elizabeth, Rodney Barnes (PNP), recently called on the National Water Commission to identify the locations in the parish where asbestos pipes are located.

According to the local government representative, there are a number of communities served by asbestos pipes and he wanted the NWC to outline the steps that would be taken to have them replaced.

Barnes stopped just short of saying that the health of individuals could be affected.

But according to the water minister, there is no health risk.

“Based on certification from international health agencies, pipes made from asbestos concrete are safe and pose no danger to health,” he said.

According to the NWC, there are 32 miles of asbestos concrete pipes, ranging from four to 10 inches, in its distribution system in the parish.