The water plight of residents of Dublanc

Letters_20to_20Editor_380419663Dear Editor,

I wish to use your medium as a concerned resident of the community of Dublanc to echo the voice of residents on the issue currently being faced which is the lack of pipe-borne water for use by residents.

Access to clean pipe-borne water since the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on August 27, 2015 has been a very challenging and frustrating one for the residents along the west coast but most specifically to residents of the community of Dublanc. In a news release, the PRO of DOWASCO stated that the villages of Colihaut, Dublanc, Bioche and Coulibistrie should see the restoration of their water supply “sometime this week”, which was the week of October 5, 2015. Today, more than one month later on Tuesday November 10, 2015, residents of Dublanc are not in a better situation where water supply and restoration is concerned.

I must admit that for some time efforts were made by the company to provide drinking water through the use of water trucks, the installation of water tanks and also by utilizing the Picard water intake.  However, for the past week or so, residents have been without portable drinking water with the only sources of water being the river, which we were advised was contaminated and the rainfall.  For several days now it is being announced via the radio that water will be available to residents on various dates from 10pm to 5am, still this NOT been happening.

Bear in mind that currently the Dublanc Primary School accommodates students from the Colihaut Primary school on a shift basis (8am – 12pm and 1pm – 5pm) and the Colihaut Preschool is housed in the Dublanc Preschool (9am – 3pm), the health centre which provides health care to residents of the twin communities of Dublanc and Bioche is also  located in Dublanc.

Whilst residents understand the challenges which continue to plague the sole water company DOWASCO, it is critical to note that this lack of water for drinking and cooking, is negatively impacting the lives of persons in the community.  This community has been greatly affected by Gastroenteritis since the passage of TS Erika and this can be proven based on medical records at the Regional Armour Hospital, Portsmouth.

It is our request that something be urgently done to restore water in our community.  Not every resident is able to purchase bottled drinking water, and whilst some may have the option to water in the heights of the Syndicate forest, this may not be easily accessible to many.

How long do we have to wait until someone addresses our concerns?   Remember water is life, if we have no water, we have no life.

Please, DOWASCO come to our aid!

 

Concerned Resident

November 10, 2015

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14 Comments

  1. Storm
    November 12, 2015

    Whilst Dominicans don’t have the basic amenities of life, their lovely pm and labour government are having a nice time.
    These are the same folks who voted for the same party at the same time yet no water and other basic needs.
    Truth be told the government is like a headless chicken and Dominica gonna be like this for a long long time. Dominica as already badly off before Errika well post Errika is like the final rights. This government will not and cannot lead Dominica to higher heights. .
    Poor west coast people alas. Poor Gen Dominique.
    Did you all ever hear them ministers taking a salary cut?
    Anyway sanity rule. ……..

  2. FORKIT
    November 12, 2015

    skerrit, let those mouton batali suffer..they to sort

  3. Anon
    November 12, 2015

    I don’t understand why you can’t get together 50 – 100 residents from colihaut, dublanc and coulibistrie and all show up at the ministry at once demanding action.

  4. Joe
    November 11, 2015

    People STOP COMPLAINING!!!!!!!!!!! You all acting as if DOWASCO os out to PUNISH all you!!!!!!!! Things can sometime take longer than anticipated but i know for a fact Dowasco is working very very hard to restore water in all communities, because that’s how they can make their money so the longer you all meters take to spin the more money they loose, so it is in their best interest to have all of Dominica connected…..

    This rubbish you all are levying on Dowasco is basically criticizing the hard working employees who sometimes goes without lunch to ensure you all have water so please show some appreciation people.. In the mean time purchase a 600 gallon tank and get Dowasco to full it for you, lesson learnt ALWAYS HAVE A BACK UP SYSTEM PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    YOU PEOPLE COMPLAIN TOO DAMN MUCH MAN AM FED UP WITH YOU ALL SMDFH, I MEAN IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AT LEAST YOU HAVE LIFE, SOME DIED WHILST SOME ARE DISPLACED!!!!!!!!!

  5. mark
    November 11, 2015

    Do you honestly believe they are not trying, after what we been through.

  6. who vex vex
    November 11, 2015

    Dowasco is the worst

  7. Green Grove
    November 11, 2015

    Honestly DOWASCO needs to be more scientific in it’s operations,Erika has shown up allot lapses and direction in terms of their network.

    Dowasco is totally under staffed.

    Dominica overall needs to be a headliner in some way, the Policy makers needs to place more emphasis on Water and the standards that are required

    But it’s Dominica a island not known to have the best thinkers or end projects that have success stories.

    so it is in a lame droll tame island like Dominica…

  8. cameron
    November 11, 2015

    This is just the tip of the cries of the poor people,while a leader of the country is traveling the world in luxury,the tablets were given to fool the poor,but when the sun shines the next day,the pains and struggle remains,Dominica is doomed and only the almighty will free Dominica.

  9. Peter Potter
    November 11, 2015

    Dowasco does not care about its customers. It only cares about itself and its shareholder(s). We need to take a stance against them. We can’t go on like this!!

  10. Zandoli
    November 11, 2015

    I fully understand and sympathize with the plight of the people of Dublanc.

    This is an entirely legitimate concern, but I often wonder why people are so reluctant to sign their bames to these letters. No one is being slandered. This is not a frivolous letter, so don’t be scared to put your name to the letter.

  11. November 11, 2015

    After the complain dont forget to insert ” Laba ka twavaille” ‘ They tell us be patient so be patient.
    Pa met $32 million was spent on an election money donated by friends of Dominica and now real misere os on those friends are no where to be seen.
    Lang Mama feeling the grind too nut Lang Mama understand that when the rain falls it falls on all man jouse top

  12. Princess
    November 11, 2015

    I feel your pain ,That’s the pain we also have in Colihaut, is just a matter of time when the hospitals will have no space for our people , someone please help.

    • FORKIT
      November 12, 2015

      more mouton batalie

  13. Margarette Adrien
    November 11, 2015

    Well said Concerned Citizen

    It’s infuriating and frustrating that water is” denied” us for over 3 days to include weekend when “family” is meant to be together as a gathering, following a period of hard working days.

    We all understand the difficulties the water provider is going through, however water is a neccessary commodity to human life and our well being.

    We ask that we are NOT overlooked but are considered on a regular basis and the planned times for piped water are adhered to as advertised by the water provider.

    Thank you and please be assured the community of St Peter thanks you for your efforts thus far.

    Respectively yours

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