COVID-19: Standpipes for hand washing are in place says DOWASCO

A newly installed standpipe on Great Marlborough Street in Roseau

As measures to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) intensify, The Dominica Water and Sewerage Authority (DOWASCO) is reporting that the standpipes promised by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit a little over a week ago, have been fully installed.

PM Skerrit said on March 19 that the government had taken a decision to install standpipes in the city of Roseau to facilitate hand-washing in Roseau in the battle against the dreadful virus which has infected more than 900,000 people and killed over 45,000 around the world.

DOWASCO has told Dominica News Online (DNO) that there are now several fully-installed and ready-to-use hand washing facilities in various parts of Roseau.

The company says this was done to encourage everyone to wash their hands and to maintain proper sanitation during the outbreak of COVID-19.

The standpipes have been installed in the following locations: opposite Flow, Going Places, Grand Bay bus stop, Fresh Market, Soufriere Bus Stop, Methodist Church, Marigot Bus Stop, Best Price, Canefield Bus Stop, Irock, Burtons, Grand Fond Bus Stop and Jackson’s.

And although, in keeping with government’s advice, DOWASCO shut its office from March 26, the company told DNO that there will be no issue in providing a constant flow of water to the public through these standpipes.

DOWASCO says it has effected its emergency plan and only emergencies will be attended to during this time of closure.

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11 Comments

  1. Rick
    April 5, 2020

    “we will be putting standpipe attendants…with soap, towels who will encourage people to wash their hands because as we have been told, personal hygiene is first and foremost in our fight.” (Skerrit, march 20th) – has anyone seen attendants, soap and towels?

  2. Ibo Francer
    April 2, 2020

    The intention is a good one but the success of this venture is doubtful. The frequent handling of the tap by any individual from the public can be very problematic. Complete access by the public to any government structure is usually reduced to an unsanitary and ruinous state in a short time. Good luck however for your intention was in the right place.

    • Good Job
      April 5, 2020

      Agreed, however where is the soap? I guess everyone have to walk with their own soap.

  3. mervin
    April 2, 2020

    Handwashing is no good if you don’t have soap and wash for 20 seconds. Foot operated pedals are great idea,but a paper towel used to shut off the tap is just as good.

  4. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    April 2, 2020

    In any event that will serve no other purpose than a cesspool for the virus!

    It is one thing to wash ones hands; nevertheless without some form of disinfectant water alone may not help!

    Where is the cleanser such as soap?

    The faucet turn on and off valves might become overwhelm with droplets from the hands of infected people turning the water on and off.

    There is a reason why one of the rules in addition to keep six feet away from people, is do not shake hands.

    • Just asking
      April 3, 2020

      Speaking of water in these trying times of viral pandemic emergency, is the glass half-full or half-empty?

  5. Bram Bran
    April 2, 2020

    Where the soap and electric hand dryer or the disposable paper towels?

    • Da Girl
      April 2, 2020

      Dowasco did tits part. Now maybe private entities can collaborate to provide the other necessities, at least the hand soap, maybe dispensers too and pray nobody steals them. Government have their hands full. We all in this together and must all play a part.

    • Really For True
      April 4, 2020

      My mother used to say: You want de mattress, de sheets, de pillow and de pillowcase. You got them all! Now, are you asking for a glass of water on a bedside table? Boss, get up, fill a bottle with water and put it next to your bed, tan!
      How do I relate this to your comment? If someone can carry hand sanitizer with them why not soap and their own personal towel?

      Mondjai, put some liquid soap, dishwashing liquid in an empty bottle (a reused hand-sanitizer bottle, for example). Carry your tissue (you should have been doing so for nanay canal, anyway) or a small towel and you are good to go! Employ proper handwashing technique, which also involves soaping down the pipe head before your final rinse. This ensures that you always touch a clean pipe when you are finished. Now the next part is to get nasty people to dispose of their tissue properly and not all around the washbasins! Sigh

  6. derp
    April 1, 2020

    so you mean to tell me after I wash my hand I have to touch the pipe again to dirty it… why not have a foot activated faucet

  7. Annon
    April 1, 2020

    The New World Order Government is being put into place while all of you are chasing around over a flu virus. That is what the shut down is about. Get ready for communism and eugenics big time.

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