Concerns raised due to non-functioning incinerator @ Pockwood Pond
The individual, who is a staff of a trust company which would need to destroy records after some years, was shocked to learn that the incinerator has not been working for a period of time.
“We destroy records over six years and the sensitive material is taken to Pockwood Pond and put directly into the furnace for security (all the trust companies do this). I arrived with a car full of documents to find that the incinerator has not been working for a month! So every night the garbage is collected then thrown onto a heap at Pockwood Pond,” said the source.
In addition to the compromising of sensitive documents, the person is also concerned that the state of the incinerator could lead to the proliferation of diseases and affect persons residing in the area.
“The mosquitoes and flies surrounding us are getting dirtier day by day, open piles of garbage cause the air, soil and water to become contaminated and can cause serious health problems such as Cholera, Cancer, Typhoid, Dysentery, Dengue Fever, Salmonella, Diarrhoea, Skin diseases, Stomach ulcers, mutated insects, rats, plague."
The source continued that the garbage will also rot, ferment and vapourise into the air causing acid rain. “This not just a garbage crisis but a health crisis. If there are heavy rains it will make it far worse. In addition to health hazards on land toxic waste will definitely leech into the earth and Sir Francis Drake Channel... a trip to DMV could be a health risk!”
The person claimed that the workers at the plant have no idea what is the situation. "The Minister for Communications and Works and Minister for Health need to be taken to task. What is the problem? How long will garbage pile up?"
“Didn’t we spend millions on a new incinerator which has yet to see action? Has the public been notified to try and recycle and reduce waste for the moment? And avoid dumping if possible?” the source asked.
The concerned individual said that despite the best efforts of man the main attraction of Tortola is its beauty and the garbage situation threatens that.
“Garbage or health issues will bring the tourism industry to its knees. Fundamental services like water, sewerage and refuse disposal are critical to the economy. Our Ministers seem to be busy with their new cars and houses whilst the basic services crumble!” the resident said.
Component damaged - Greg R. Massicote
Manager of the Department of Waste Management, Greg R. Massicote confirmed that the incinerator was not functioning because of a vital component of it being out of commission.
He said this has been the case for a number of weeks and this will continue as the component has already been ordered but is yet to arrive in the territory.
“The current state of the site right now is not the usual [state]. What happened is that we had our usual minor mechanical failure with the incinerator and it has been down for a few days now and it may be down for a few more,” he said.
“So we are trying to have the process expedited and have the incinerator repaired so that the conditions down there could go back to some form of normalcy.
According to Massicote, the damaged component is not something that could be readily stocked or acquired from a shelf. It has to be manufactured and then installed by the manufacturers to ensure it is properly working. Further, he said personnel from the supplier will come to the territory to ensure that the requisite knowledge is transferred to the persons operating the incinerator.
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23 Responses to “Concerns raised due to non-functioning incinerator @ Pockwood Pond”
Don't mind hearing about this EVERY DAY until it's handled!
Thanks.
Yes some dept heads need to be more accountable BUT when the PS and Minister dont put $ there WHAT can the D H do ? It is shocking for a month !! Where are these parts coming from ??
Lets guess ?
Moreover, a friend asked why the garbage is not buried instead of incinerated. Burying requires significant acreage. In larger countries and locales, landfills can consist of hundred of acres and be be in operation for a 100 years or more. Closed landfills have to be capped and managed to control methane gas. Further, landfills have limited uses after closure.
Moreover, is the by produt from the incinerator being used to generate electricity. And if no why not? Can anything in the BVI under government direct control be operated efficiently, effectively and economically? More accountability and greater expectation must be demanded.