Work underway to address sewage issues in downtown Kingston

 

Work has started to replace the collapsed sections of the sewer mains in downtown Kingston.

 

A section of the aged 250 mm diameter asbestos cement sewers in the area collapsed, resulting in frequent sewer blockages and overflowing sewage from several manholes in the area.

 

Vacutrucks were dispatched to the affected areas Thursday evening to pull from the lines and reduce flow into the market space.

 

Minister with responsibility for Water Matthew Samuda said the government is making the necessary investments to deal with all attendant issues. 

 

"There are two other major issues. One is distribution and one is mechanical. The mechanical issue, which has been at Darling Street for some time, I'm happy to report that this week the new pumps which are desperately needed for that facility to lift the sewage out of downtown are actually now at Kingston Wharves and are being cleared before the end of the weekend," he disclosed. 

 

"We expect those to be installed and completed within a week but the distribution lines, some of them are clay, some of them are board, some of them are 100 years old. We have mobilised emergency works which have now started. We will be doing 410 metres of West Street and 220 metres going straight into Matthews Lane which will clear the major blocked area which is what is backing up in the transport area and in the market."  

 

Mr. Samuda said the work is expected to cost some $200 million.