MONTEGO BAY, St James — Saying the city has had to pay a hefty bill to repair its sewerage system, Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon is adamant that all future plans submitted for commercial buildings must include grease traps.

“The absence of grease traps is damaging our sewerage system and it is costing us billions; we need to address it. I understand that a safe food programme is being looked at, or has started, to ensure that all restaurants are compliant with the requirements for the grease traps,” he told last Thursday’s monthly sitting of the St James Municipal Corporation.

“I believe we should take it a little bit further where the submission of these commercial buildings, whether or not you tell us you’re going to allow restaurants to operate there, you must have the grease trap because it is costing us significantly in the long run,” he said.

According to the mayor, a major project being done by the National Water Commission (NWC) is being hampered by issues linked to the absence of grease traps in a section of the western city. The NWC has been upgrading the sewerage system in the vicinity of Railway Lane, Fish Lane, Lightbody Avenue and a section of Barnett Street.

“When I had further dialogue with the NWC they were concerned that too much waste from restaurants is entering their system. I’m not sure if it is calcification but it creates a build-up in that system and then causes a spill back of the waste which then runs on the roadway,” Vernon explained.

“A project has been significantly delayed within that area because of that occurrence and reoccurrence,” he lamented.

The mayor made it clear that the goal was not to pressure or target restaurants but to ensure they are in compliance with industry standards and do not negatively impact public infrastructure. He stressed, however, that those who do not conform risk being penalised.

“I am asking all restaurants to fall in line and I know that the public health [department] will serve the necessary notices to ensure that they do if they do not yield to this warning,” he said.

Vernon told the meeting that there is now ongoing assessment to determine which eateries and related businesses do not have grease traps installed. He urged those that are not in compliance to make the necessary adjustments.

“Don’t allow us to come and tell you what you need to do when you know what needs to be done,” he warned.

The mayor also urged the public health department to work with the municipal corporation to ensure that the rules are enforced.

“It is something that we are willing to adopt in our planning department as part of the conditions of approval. A part you need to review as public health, when you get the building plans from us, is to ensure that you are satisfied that the requisite grease trap is in place or will be in place based on the plan to abate that situation,” he told chief public health inspector Shericka Lewis, who was in attendance.

“We are committed to ensuring that we play our part but we need your continuous support to ensure [your] part is properly monitored. We do not want to approve any commercial development that will be rented, especially to shops and other operations, and they don’t have grease traps,” Vernon added.

The mayor is hoping the NWC project can now move forward as the delay has been impacting other infrastructure work.

“Once we address that, we will continue with the repairs especially in that Railway Lane area which is the lowest point of the sewage system and the most problematic area. We have to move forward with the rehabilitation of the roadway from Railway Lane straight into the bus park and from the intersection of Railway Lane and Fish Lane straight to Barnett Street,” he said.

Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon explaining how a lack of grease traps has impacted work being done in the western city by the National Water Commission.