Residents urged to stop health risk in East End

In light of a major health risk on the eastern end of Tortola, residents of the area are being urged to immediately disconnect all unauthorized sewerage lines from the incomplete public sewerage system.

They are to return to their private septic system.

The appeal from the Water and Sewerage Department comes as untreated sewage from the unauthorized pipe connections is ending up in the environment, especially in the vicinity of the East End Police Station.

Director of the Water and Sewerage Department Pearline Scatliffe-Leonard said the current public sewerage infrastructure is not yet online, resulting in untreated sewerage clogging pipes.

“Until we are fully functioning and operating on the new sewerage system, no one is permitted to be attached to the line. In order to avoid contamination of streets and surrounding areas, we are asking that persons who are aware to disconnect their lines immediately,” she said.

Scatliffe-Leonard further appealed for persons to contact the department for assistance, and to disconnect their lines by today (February 9).

The department said it will take steps to plug its pipework in order to eliminate health risks posed by the situation by Friday (February 10).

It added that the East End National Sewerage Programme is progressing. The project involves the installation of over 17,000 feet of ten, eight and six inch pipes between Brandywine Bay, Paraquita Bay, Long Swamp, Paraham Town and Major Bay.

The overall programme is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

According to the government, the completion of the National Sewerage Programme will give residents access to an environmentally friendly system, and will put an end to the current methods of sewerage waste disposal in the East End area.