Metal theft leaves Seaview in a stink

A suspected case of metal theft has left residents of Seaview Gardens living with a horrible stink as gallons of untreated sewage flows into a gully in the area.

"It really stink, man. It bad now but it worse at night," one resident of the western St Andrew community told The Gleaner yesterday.

"(There are) two schools near here, including Seaview Gardens Primary, and the children have been living with this stink for almost a week," the resident added.

The National Water Commission (NWC) yesterday admitted that the raw sewage flowing into the gully was a major problem but said it was not yet in a position to say when it will be addressed.

"Although it could have been much worse, as the sewer main is not presently in maximum use, this latest incident poses a serious threat to public health and the environment and undermines the integrity of the work of the commission," said Charles Buchanan, corporate public relations manager at the NWC.

According to Buchanan, the metal support for the sewer main, which runs across the Seaview Gully was stolen, resulting in the main breaking and allowing the untreated sewage to escape.

Buchanan said the main would normally take sewage to the new Soapberry Sewage Treatment plant.

Not the first time

He noted that this was not the first time the NWC has lost key pieces of metal to thieves seeking to make money through the scrap-metal trade.

"We continue to experience severe operational setbacks when unscrupulous persons engage in the removal of our infrastructure," Buchanan said.

"Over the past months, persons have stolen chemicals, pumping equipment, electrical cables, and several lengths of pipes; the net effect of which is major setbacks in our ability to provide quality service to our customers and indeed the general public," added Buchanan.

He urged the perpetrators to desist from their illegal activities.

"We are continually challenged by theft and the expenses involved in the replacement works. The public and our customers in particular are left to suffer the inconvenience caused," Buchanan said.

He said the NWC was making every effort to complete the repair work as quickly as possible.