Most pumps and sluices in Region 4 functional -Siltation, improper solid waste disposal posing problems
The operational Liliendaal pump which is currently aiding in the reduction of floodwater
The operational Liliendaal pump which is currently aiding in the reduction of floodwater

MOST of the pumps and sluices across Region 4 which will aid in reducing water levels after Thursday’s flooding, are fully functional and operational. 

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker

This was according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, yesterday at a press conference held at the Local Government Ministry.
According to Minster Whittaker, a team of which he was a part visited yesterday, all the pump stations and sluices within Region 4.
At the Liliendaal pump station, he noted that all the pumps are fully operational, and they were servicing a number of neighbouring areas.
As it relates to the Kitty pump station, Whittaker explained that it is currently working, but assistance is being sought by the Ministry of Agriculture to have the channels leading to the pumps desilted, because siltation is impeding to some extent, the flow of water during the fallen tide.
“There is the forestry pump at the Kingston pump station. But there are issues to do with the siltation of the outfall, but the pump when put into operation, and that is after the sluice door is open, does help with the rapid reduction of water,” the minister said.
He further explained that Lamaha Street is an area for some concern because it is not functioning presently. However, coming down to the Church Street sluice, there is heavy siltation, but the water in the canal is being diverted to the JP Santos Canal and there has been some measures of relief there, he told reporters.
The pumps at Princess Street which he explained were recently repaired by the mechanical workshop of the City Council, with assistance from the Ministry of Public Works, are in operation. “Then we have the Ruimveldt double- door sluice. The two sluices at this location as the name suggests are all functional,” Whittaker disclosed.
In River View, the pump is out of operation, he said, adding that this is due to the leaking of hydraulic oil from the foot of the pump. However, he assured that some work is being done on it.
He concluded that the Meadow Bank sluice on which repairs and replacement of the sluice door had been done some time ago, is in working order.
As such, the Local Government Minister posited that what is evident is that most of the pumps and sluice doors are functional within this region. He stressed however that there are currently issues pertaining to siltation, and improper waste disposal, not only at the mouth of the sluice, but also within the internal drains and canals in the city.
To this extent, he revealed that his team had been informed Thursday that the existing drainage system is designed to remove about one and one half inches of water for 24 hours. However, the Hydromet office had informed them that what had been experienced on Thursday was something around 7.6 inches of rainfall.
“We are taking all measures possible to ensure the free flow of the water. And part of that is to remove garbage from the roadways and drains. Part of it is also working to remove garbage that is hindering the free movement of water in areas where we have concrete bridges and are not too easily accessed,” the minister said.

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