THE EDITOR, Sir:
FURTHER TO the article in The Gleaner of January 19, I should like to point out that I was misquoted in the article and the effect of this has been very misleading. The impression was wrongly given that NWC's system is operating at 10 per cent efficiency when, in fact, the ponds are working at almost 100 per cent efficiency, as we know from our regular meetings of the Montego Bay Wastewater Advisory Monitoring Committee.
Lisa Golding of the National Water Commission in the subsequent article on January 24, is quite correct in saying that "The NWC therefore refutes the statement that Montego Bay Sewage System is treating only 10 per cent of the sewage produced by household and businesses connected to it." (emphasis added). I did not say this. I said that only 10 per cent of Montego Bay's homes are connected to the NWC system although the design of the pond system has the capacity for another 10 per cent to be added to the new sewerage mains and a further 10 per cent when additional mains are laid in the future. I also said that great efforts are being made by NWC to get the other 10 per cent hooked up but cost had been a factor and that financial arrangements have now been made to facilitate this and the rate of hooking up is now moving ahead. I distinctly remember referring her to Mrs. Florence Logan, the Vice President of NWC's Western Region, for up to date details on the number of hook-ups and questions about their system.
I further said that the ponds had greatly improved the water quality going into the Marine Park with substantial reductions in faecal coleiform counts and, while this meets internationally and NEPA approved standards, nutrients loading is still an issue because it promotes algae growth which smothers coral reefs. I explained that west and south of Bogue and east of Gloucester Avenue are not within reach of the main sewers system and these areas need to be addressed by the Government; that hotels in the Rose Hall area have their own package plants and treat their own waste; and that most households use pits or septic tanks for sewage treatment which is "acceptable" to the health and planning authorities but with our porous topography is not good enough for the marine environment as these nutrients enter the ground water, and consequently the sea, very quickly.
For the record, I should like to say that the Montego Bay Marine Park has had an excellent working relationship for years with the National Water Commission, (who share our concerns and are working hard towards expansion of their system) which I trust has not been damaged by this story.
I am, etc.,
JILL WILLIAMS
Executive Director
Montego Bay Marine Park Trust
