Help has finally come for six families in Exchange Lots, Couva, who have been facing a health hazard caused by raw sewage flowing through their backyards from clogged sewer pipes.
The residents, who endured the stench for more than three months, had pleaded for help from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA).
One of the affected residents, Julie Wills-Norea, said she was concerned about the effect on her health, citing nausea, vomiting, eye irritations, and headaches induced by the persistent stench.
“Every time we flush, the sewage flows out from the back. I cannot tend to my plants in the backyard. I have to keep my windows closed all the time,” she said.
Wills-Norea said the sewage overflow disrupted her life and robbed her of her right to enjoy her home.
Frustrated with the lack of response from the HDC and WASA, Wills-Norea enlisted the help of a plumber, who identified clogged sewer lines leading back to WASA’s main sewer lines.
“The problem cannot be fixed by the plumber. It is bigger than him. WASA has to get involved, and HDC has to give the authorisation to WASA because the HDC has not yet handed over this site to WASA or the Regional Corporation,” Wills-Norea said
After Guardian Media reached out to Chief Executive Officer of WASA Kelvin Romain and Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, a team was sent to clear the clogged lines.
In a statement, the HDC apologised to the residents and explained that a line-clearing exercise was conducted on the main sewer line in December but it became blocked, and on January 11 the line was again cleared.
“On Saturday, January 13, 2024, representatives from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) cleared the sewer line. Due to the frequent need to clear the area, an investigation will be done to determine the cause of the blockage,” HDC said.