While acknowledging that the company has installed at least one caretaker in each of its water catchment areas, the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) has said that the huge cost associated with providing additional security is a challenge for the company.
General Manager Bernard Ettinoffe, after being probed, told a press conference yesterday that the company has nevertheless tried to restrict traffic in these areas.
“We operate 43 water systems across the country. For every one of the systems there is at least one caretaker. In the WA1 area there are several caretakers because we have surveillance in that area 24/7 in the Springfield and the Antrim area. Persons, who clean the storage tanks, take the leaves off,” he said.
“As regards to security of the system, we do have concerns ourselves. Systems, water intakes are built in forested areas, but persons who have access by and large to most of these areas we try to restrict movement in areas where we have water catchments, water storage and so forth. It does call for a large amount of resources that probably DOWASCO doesn’t have at this time probably to recruit other persons,” the manager said.
Ettinoffe said that he has sought the assistance of the police with regards to the matter, asking for their aid in securing these catchments.
“[It] is something that we take very seriously … we are fencing the ones that we can… and take every action that we can to ensure that the areas are protected to a large extent and water quality remains good,” Ettinoffe said.
water bills too low
Is this the level of common sense we have running DOWASCO?? It is so ridiculous to hear such gabbage coming from this guy.
It is very important to secure our water supply and you mesan to tell me he is even repeating that money will make us all insecure??
Get out and give your job to someone else who really cares about the people of Dominica.
Are we now putting a price on people’s safety? It would take 1/4 of your salary to pay four guards. We know your salary and we know a quarter can pay four guards. We need our water to be safe so instead of giving us excuses, create some employment and get people to guard the water!!
This is like saying it is costly to brush one’s teeth and waiting to do a root canal later. It is costly, so we do nothing.
Avoiding the cost of security to water catchment areas could create situations costing a great deal more to the health sector in dealing with the illnesses derived from contaminated water. The prevention is far less costly and life threatening.
Meanwhile I will boil my water.