THE National Water Commission (NWC) says it is taking seriously allegations that people are bathing in a tank used to store water in Sheckles, Clarendon.

The issue was raised by councillor for the Toll Gate Division Godfrey Knight (People’s National Party) at last Thursday’s meeting monthly meeting of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation.

“There is a situation in Sheckles where persons are bathing in the storage tank. It used to happen in Ebony Park and we had to cut off the ladder to go [to the entrance of the tank].

“The situation in Sheckles is that persons feed the cows and the goats there, and they choose to go into the tank and bathe. I want the representative to make a note of it and police it as well so as to stop those persons, especially those who are feeding cows and goats,” said Knight.

The NWC tank in Sheckles stores water that has been treated before distribution to residents.

With people bathing in the water, this presents a major public health risk, and the NWC’s zone team leader in Clarendon, Devon Johnson, told the corporation that the allegation is being taken seriously and will be dealt with, with urgency.

“The allegation that persons are bathing in the tank at Sheckles is a serious one and we are taking it very, very serious. Our facilities are very secure but, over time, some of them have lost their security because of vandalisation,” said Johnson.

According to Johnson, a similar facility in Toll Gate was enclosed but the fencing was destroyed by vandals.

“We fenced that place so nicely, and people walk in and remove the wires and the posts. [These are] the very people who we are securing the water to be safe for.

“The civic pride has gone. Because you remove all those fences, knock down the post, and then crying to us that the place is not secure. The NWC don’t have the resources to keep re-fencing these facilities,” added Johnson.

He told the corporation he will be leading a team to Schekles as part of an investigation.

“It is very concerning to us to hear that people are bathing in the tank. We have to move immediately. And whatever needs to be done to secure it, we have to do so” Johnson said.