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The National Environment and
Planning Agency, NEPA, today served an Enforcement Notice on the
National Water Commission, NWC. This Notice was in respect of
serious natural resources and public health issues in the Beverly
Hills, Hope Estate, Mona Estate and Hampstead Park areas of St.
Andrew.
The Notice, which was issued
under Section 18 of the Natural Resources Conservation
Authority Act, concerns the discharge of untreated sewage from the
NWC Lift Station at Long Mountain in St. Andrew. Based on
investigations and laboratory tests, NEPA has found that sewage and
effluent from the Lift Station has been discharged onto properties
adjacent to the facility. This discharge not only threatens
groundwater resources but also presents a serious threat to public
health.
Given the obvious threats to
the environment and the severe inconvenience experienced by
residents in the vicinity of the Lift Station, NEPA has given the
NWC a six point guideline to adequately address the
situation:
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Immediately cease the
discharge from the Lift Station into the environment.
-
Rehabilitate the area of
land affected by the overflow of untreated sewage. This must be
done within seven days of receiving the Enforcement Notice.
-
Submit a Contingency
Plan for the Lift Station within three days of receiving the
Enforcement Notice.
-
Submit a Maintenance
Plan for the Lift Station. This must be done within three days
of receiving the Enforcement Notice.
-
Submit to the Authority
an alternate solution to the Tile Field adjacent to the Lift
Station. This must be done within three days of receiving the
Enforcement Notice.
-
Replace the standby pump
at the Lift Station. This must be done within fourteen days of
receiving the Enforcement Notice.
Under section 34 of the NRCA
Act, the NWC has the right to appeal against this Notice within 28
days. The NWC may face prosecution if it fails to comply with
Notice.
NEPA is reassuring the public
that it will take a zero tolerance approach in instances where
environmental pollution compromises public health. The Agency will
also act strongly in instances where the country’s natural resources
may be threatened.
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