Dear Editor,

The designed technical capabilities of our drainage and irrigation systems continue to be seriously compromised, due to indiscriminate dumping and pollution. This causes the accumulation of surface water and in some cases flooding.

A classical example occurred on the morning of Saturday, December 6, 2008; after a continuous heavy downpour, the northern carriageway of the East Coast Highway in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy as far as the Bel Air Service Station was flooded. Some parts of the road had water in excess of eight inches. The adjoining primary drainage structure had water levels far below what had accumulated on the carriageway.

Upon investigation it was quite obvious that the secondary drains were heavily clogged with garbage, especially of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) type materials. This was as a result of indiscriminate dumping by those who sell and consume food contained in those products on the seawall.

Fortunately crews from the Ministry of Public Works and Communi-cations responded immediately and rectified the situation.

One only has to look around at the many culverts, conduits, kokers and pump basins to see the volume of garbage that is dumped directly or indirectly into our waterways. I agree the problems associated with PET and styrofoam materials need a collaborative effort to be arrested, however in the short term the administration of the city needs to be more vigilant and proactive in prosecuting all persons and businesses involved in those practices which have devastating consequences for our environment.

Moreover, the primary responsibility rests with citizens to curb these habits and adopt a more responsible attitude toward waste disposal. One would have imagined that the floods of 2005 would have served as a valuable lesson to those who continue to flout the warnings and advisories.

Yours faithfully,
Ronald Harsawack