SEWAGE PROBLEM TO FINALLY BE SOLVED? AND A LOOK BACK AT SOSs FIGHT FOR PROMISES TO BE KEPT. Yesterday Channel TV reported on TTSs plan to build a new sewage treatment plant. The CTV report says: Jerseys sewage system could catastrophically fail and pollute the islands bays. Thats the warning from Transport and Technical Services, which is wanting to spend £75 million on improving the system. The current plant was built in the 1950s, and is outdated. It needs constant repairs because it cant cope with increased flow from the drains when there is heavy rainfall. SOS NOTE: In past years both TTS and/or the Environment Department have often denied that bacterial infection of shellfish on the south east coast was caused by human sewage entering the sea in times of high rain fall (or indeed at other times.) They blamed the run off from farms or seagulls, but when Norovirus was found as well as E.coli in shellfish samples they had to accept that this was the case. (Norovirus is only found in humans.) Shellfish farmers and others have know for many years that the outfall at St. Aubins was bringing partially treated sewage around the south east coast and also that the discharges from outfalls such as the Dicq in times of heavy rain were contributing to the bacterial load. SOS have highlighted this problem for years as well as other pollution issues also denied not only by TTS but by the Environment Department. The Regulator did not to honour his promise to SOS regarding the serious prolonged illegal discharge to sea of toxic leachate from the workings of the incinerator foundations. The Environment Scrutiny Panel were unable to investigate as they were told they could not, as a criminal investigation was underway. This extended pollution was monitored by the independent Project Manager and reported to TTS and then to the Regulator. The Project Manager lost his job as a result of whistle blowing - after all the project was the subject of much public attention having already lost millions as a result of poor financial handling at the Treasury. To admit that pollution was happening would presumably have been too much loss of face for the administration. The promise made to three SOS committee members by the Regulator at the time at a meeting at Howard Davis Farm that if we were patient we would be very pleased with the outcome, was refuted by the Director at the last Ramsar Management Authority Meeting. Its as if it never happened. It is like the Ministry of Truth in George Orwells 1984. We have problems enough without the Environment Department not doing what they are there for. If you would like to read our report and see the evidence, please visit this address: jerseyinperil/witnessreport.html However we have to be pleased that at least there are plans to deal with the sewage problem which is becoming critical and now TTS are pushing for funding. SOS have requested a meeting with the TTS Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis and his CEO John Rogers on this matter, the asbestos container crisis and other related issues. This request has been accepted and we will be meeting on Friday 4th April. The CTV report is here: channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=510287
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:23:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015