‘100,000 gallons of bleach not enough’
Residents want dead frog-contaminated tank emptied, cleaned
OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Unconvinced that adding sanitising agents to water contaminated by dead frogs is enough to make it safe to use, residents of Epworth have been avoiding the tank in their community, the main source of potable water. On Thursday, their locally elected representative, Councillor Ian Bell (People’s National Party, Beecher Town Division), urged the St Ann Municipal Corporation (SMC) to find a solution.
According to Bell, SMC officials gave instructions for sanitising agents to be poured into the tank but residents still think the water is unclean and refuse to use it. The councillor has asked for the issue to be revisited and additional steps taken to make the water safe for consumption.
“When I asked what the scope of work, one of the first things the superintendent mentioned was that the water would be pumped out and the [tank] would be refilled. The water is not pumped from the tank and nothing has been done to that tank and this is where everybody goes to get their water,” Bell chided during the monthly meeting.
“Even if you guys put 100,000 gallons of bleach into the tank, or chlorine, the people’s mindset is that bullfrog and rat died in it and the water is not good. I’m respectfully asking that the tanks be emptied and washed out clean. The people need to see that the tanks were emptied and sterilised. That is the only way they will feel comfortable to drink that water again,” he urged.
The concerned councillor said he is willing to personally put measures in place to refill the tank, if that is what it will take.
“Rain is falling now to fill it back up. Or I will get water to put in the tank if that is the case,” he said.
In response, the SMC’s acting chief engineering officer Saad Campbell gave a commitment to visit the area soon and determine the best way forward.
“I was informed that the tank was drained. However, I understand that people would want to see its water pumped out. I will go up there, have discussion with persons and see what they would prefer to be done and move forward so they can at least feel safe,” he assured.
