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‘Cistern & tank water not safe, needs treating’- CEHO Lionel E. Michael

Water in cisterns or tanks should be treated by boiling or by adding chlorine components, which include bleach or tablets, says Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr Lionel Michael. Photo: Internet Source
Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr Lionel Michael has advised persons operating a food business to ensure that they have a consistent supply of power and water and that the water is treated and safe. Photo: VINO/File
Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr Lionel Michael has advised persons operating a food business to ensure that they have a consistent supply of power and water and that the water is treated and safe. Photo: VINO/File
Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr Lionel E. Michael has warned the Virgin Islands’ public that their drinking water supply should be safe for all uses which include domestic and personal. Photo: GIS
Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr Lionel E. Michael has warned the Virgin Islands’ public that their drinking water supply should be safe for all uses which include domestic and personal. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The new Government Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr Lionel E. Michael has warned the Virgin Islands’ public that their drinking water supply should be safe for all uses, which include domestic and personal.

He advised that water in cisterns or tanks should be treated by boiling or by adding chlorine components, which include bleach or tablets.

The CEHO implied that water in homes or business cisterns and sitting outside in water tanks are not safe and therefore needs the additional protection of boiling or adding chlorine.

Mr Michael also told Government Information Service (GIS) that “vector control and food and water safety are high on the priority list for the Environmental Health Division, as efforts continue to restore, prevent and protect the community from environmental health related diseases.”

Conditions of roadside vendors?

There have been many concerns raised by the public about roadside vendors in the Virgin Islands (VI) that usually have flies around the food, rats and yard chickens close to the food, the dust on the open road, along with one even being next to a cemetery and open ghut.

In terms of food safety, Mr Michael said, “establishments and street food vendors should be trained to handle food, a process which arms them with the necessary information to fight microorganisms and food borne diseases.”

He also advised persons operating a food business to ensure they have a consistent supply of power and water and that the water is treated and safe. “As we continue to inspect these businesses, we want to make sure that they meet at least the minimum requirements, which include having hand-washing accommodations and facilities to keep the food hot and cold,” he stated.

In light of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which destroyed the VI and left the entire group of islands without power until a few weeks ago, with some 40% restoration, the Environmental Chief asked “households without a steady electrical supply to only buy food that can be consumed in a short period of time….prepare it and consume it at the same time as much as possible,” he told GIS.

Mr Michael told vendors, restauranters and home owners to “make sure you have something that allows water to flow on both hands at the same time, because properly cleaned hands can prevent a multitude of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses.”

13 Responses to “‘Cistern & tank water not safe, needs treating’- CEHO Lionel E. Michael”

  • good luck (02/12/2017, 10:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good luck getting many landlords to make sure the water systems in their rentals are good. unbelievable the
    conditions pre-hurricane and not due to natural events. a disgrace for sure. but at least we get to see the
    rest of the BVI now.
  • consumer protection (02/12/2017, 10:32) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    yes them food vendors are a mess some of them needs to be shut down
  • long look me come from (02/12/2017, 11:05) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    you mean they could not find a local to replace a local? SMH
    • @ LONG LOOK ME COME FROM (02/12/2017, 12:02) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      boss the NDP hates locals, they are good only for elections
    • Logic (02/12/2017, 12:08) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's all you gathered from the article?
    • wize up (02/12/2017, 13:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ long loook: I don't follow up on everyday movements: but I am 50% sure that the last local who was given a substantial post is the young man who heads the TRC and was done under a VIP administration:1. some of us have become second class citizens: 2. Some of us are only valuable 48 hours before an election day
      • @ wize up (02/12/2017, 15:22) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
        well they give all the island people belonger status so that is the NDP ticket to reelection, but every rope has its end
  • Who knows. (02/12/2017, 14:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I boil my cistern water.. and it is more safe than any bottle water.
    • @ who knows (03/12/2017, 21:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good for you, hopefully the dead rats and flies are boil out too
      • who knows (07/12/2017, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You must be in my cistern to know that it have dead rats and flies..
        I drinking that water for 23 years now. Never get sick.
        My health in my #1 priority.
        It have protected gauze on the spouting that lead to my cistern... know your fact or shut up.
  • Jimi (05/12/2017, 15:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Michael.

    How much Chlorine should be added for a 20000 galllon cistern. ?
    Should be some guidelines...


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