Dear Editor,
Though it may be a surprise to many who read my letters in relation to football in your newspaper, I have previous experience as a ‘B Plant Operator’ in the Treatment Plant of the then Georgetown Sewerage & Water Commissioners (GS&WC), spanning a period of 7 years (1979-1986). So, I can openly say that I am fully versed in water treatment, and in most instances whenever a discolouration of water occurs. I wonder if the Treatment Plant operators are required to submit a written statement outside the ambit of the normal shift report, as was the standard procedure during my time. Additionally, are water tests (colour) still conducted on an hourly basis? Again, this was standard procedure during my time of employment.
Most importantly, the Treatment Plant should be informed in the event of a fire. The senior operator would inform the Pump Station Attendant of the need for an increase in the outflow of water, ie 20-30 lbs – unless the system has changed. Depending upon the location of the fire valves may have to be shut down to increase the required flow of water in a specific direction. However, are these valves functioning, let alone the fire hydrants? At this juncture the Water Mains Department should come into action. Does an emergency crew exist in the event of a fire? If, not, then one should be reactivated, since the primitive system using manual labour to regulate valves would be an additional recipe for a disaster.
Finally, while I would agree to an extent with Mayor, Hamilton Green that the ownership of fire hydrants is important, the other factors that I have mentioned in my opinion are more important. And most important the cost factor must be taken into consideration. This comes against the backdrop that the GWI, instead of wasting scarce money on a jingle ‘Water is Life‘ ought to undertake a comprehensive study on how to significantly aid fire-fighting. This should entail the cost of filtered/potable water per gallon in firefighting, as against clarified water (slightly discoloured) which is always available in larger volumes. Surely it doesn’t need rocket science to ascertain the need for an 8-12″ gate valve between the clarified and filtered water chambers, for maintaining the required amount of pressure for outflow. Mind you, this project which was undertaken came to an abrupt halt during my tenure. Maybe former Chief Engineer David Dewar could be useful as a consultant to spearhead the comprehensive study with adequate financial remuneration.
What the Mayor should also address is the waste water from the washing of filters on a nightly basis, in addition to the de-sludging process although that is not as frequent. They both end up in the city’s drainage system which is evident in the Church and Irving streets canals. Can they not be drained via the sewerage system?
Yours faithfully,
Lester Sealey
