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Sewage Problem in Fine Arts at BCC


 by ANMAR GOODRIDGE-BOYCE

THERE IS A sewage problem plaguing the Fine Arts department at the Barbados Community College.

The issue which has been on-going since the start of the 2019-2020 school year, reached its boiling point last week when classes were suspended due to overflowing waste on the compound.

When students turned up for class on Thursday, they were greeted by unwelcomed sewage and a pungent odour which forced them to cover their noses as a result of a blockage in the drainage system.

A number of first and second year students requested anonymity, but all agreed the conditions were very unbearable and not conducive to learning.

“This is not good enough. I was smelling the scent from the time I was walking up the hill and as I came along it just got stronger. I think this is unacceptable. I am not saying that things will not happen because somethings you can’t control but we all here paid school fees and this should never happen,” a disgruntled student said.

Caution tape was used to cordon off the affected areas to ensure the health and wellness of the students impacted while building and property manager Peterkin Broome was summoned to the scene.

Seven workers from RG Waste Management Inc were at BCC working diligently to return the arts department to normalcy.

“  The difficult problem we had was the drainage. It was blocked and we had to close off the bathrooms and classrooms. There was a big flooding as a result of the block and the sceptic tanks and manholes,” said Broome.

“When we brought the guys to do the flushing and jetting on the pipelines, we found a lot of tampons and wipes. Now wipes and tampons should not be in a sewage system at all.

We are presently using paper that is degraded by water and it makes it easier for flushing and going into the well. The wipes and tampons don’t degrade and they just cloak up the whole system. The system was cloaked and as a result of the flushing from the upper level water came down on the ground floor.  We had no choice but to clear up the system and bring in cleaners to get this issue fixed,” he explained.

Broome called on the students to play their part in ensuring the drains remain clear.
“We need the students to play their role that is part of the problem. I want them to put the wipes that they may clean their shoes with in the garbage containers. The system cannot handle heavy stuff,” he said.

When contacted, Guild President Kobie Broomes expressed dissatisfaction at the situation.

“It is indeed appalling. The guild is entirely upset with the administration for letting this situation continue. This is an issue that has been on-going and there has been no word of how this will be maintained or fixed.

We are not satisfied that a long term measure has been put in place to fix this. We had no days of closure for students in the fine arts department. That is two days of no classes that they will not be able to get back. It is not good enough and it is only a matter of time before it bubbles again,” Broomes stated.









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