Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Residents of 89 August Town Road pack sandbags to prevent flooding in the area. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The residents of 89 August Town Road are accusing the University of the West Indies of releasing effluent into the August Town area which has flooded the lane.

When The Gleaner team arrived on the scene, some residents were seen feverishly filling sandbags, which they used to block the mouth of the lane.

"Look here, look when it rain, the sewage water from the university run pon the road, and it come down the lane and sometimes it go into the homes. It don't have anywhere to run, so it come inna the lane."

The residents also raise health concerns.

"Every time it rain, the faeces water run inna de lane, and we complain to the authorities, but dem no response fi we, dem no response fi local."

Principal not aware

Deputy principal of the University of the West Indies, Joseph Pereira, however, says that he was not aware of the complaints.

"I have not received any complaints and as far as I know the (sewerage) plant is working."

Pereira also said that when the institution releases any sewage, it is released into a gully behind August Town.

"The plant is in good working condition and the sewage which is released is fully treated and it poses no health risk."

Pereira, however, said that he would investigate the residents' allegations.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com