Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Reporter

An estimate carried out by the technical department of the St Elizabeth parish council revealed that it would cost approximately $60 million to upgrade and repair 35 of the 82 catchment tanks in the parish.

The estimate was presented at the monthly general meeting of the council, held at the agency's meeting room in Black River last Thursday.

Acting secretary/manager of the council, Gerald Lee, explained to the meeting that estimates would be sent along with the submission to the Department of Local Government, requesting the funds to carry out urgent repairs on the catchment tanks.

He said the council would be asking the authorities to consider the matter of utmost importance.

State of disrepair

The matter of the catchment tanks came up some two months ago when Mayor Jeremy Palmer ordered that an assessment be done of all facilities across the parish.

Then superintendent of roads and works, Kenroy Stewart, conducted the assessment and found that the tanks were in a state of disrepair and were in need of urgent upgrading if they were to serve the respective communities effectively.

The catchment tanks in the parish are mainly in the areas where there are no National Water Commission main lines. These include sections of Malvern, Rose Hall, Maggotty, Carisbrooks and Cedar Valley.