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Flooding & Wastewater Problem in Falmouth
THE PROBLEM
"Clogged gutter on Trelawny Street
"
- (May, 11th, 2003).
Residents of Trelawny and Newton Streets continue to experience flooding resulting from a clogged drainage
system which has persisted for several years now. The photograph above indicates the severity of the problem.
Earlier this year the residents protested against the conditions of the drains in their neighborhood and apparently the cause
of the problem was not understood by local officials because the residents were "rewarded" with new grids, new pavement,
and a sweeping of the gutters. Whereas, all of these actions were desperately needed, neither one of these actions
addressed the root cause of the flooding problem, so the residents of Trelawny and Newton Streets continue to experience an ever worsening
flooding condition."
THE CAUSE
"
Sand blockage down by the seaside
"
- (May, 11th, 2003).
The cause of the flooding is quite obvious, even to the casual observer. The shoreline of Falmouth has changed over the years, to the
point where there is now a sand barrier at the mouth of the drainage system that once emptied into the sea.
This means that there is nowhere for the runoff water to go, so it just sits there, stagnant, ever rising, and a breeding haven for
mosquitoes.
Six months ago the sand barrier was not as high as it is now, so the flooding was bad only when it rained. I know, because I was
there and I dug away the sand barrier with a shovel and the residents were delighted at how low the level of the water was the
following morning.
(photo credit: Richard Chambers)
"
Shoveling - six months earlier
"
- (December, 2002).
Now the barrier is much higher, which means that the water level will eventually rise into the living rooms of the
residents as the sand barrier continues to get higher down by the sea. This will eventually happen, with or without rain, because there is no runoff for the water and the sand barrier
is getting higher everyday as the tide continues to deposit more and more sand at the mouth at the canal.
Evaporation alone will not save those houses. At the current rate, its just a matter of weeks before the residents will have to take to the streets again to
protest this persistent problem.
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THE REMEDY - Short Term
"
Canal Extension on Foreshore Road
"
- (May, 11th, 2003).
At the corner of Rodney Street and Foreshore Road, there is a runoff extension to the canal running from the hospital property,
under the road, and into the sea. There are two more of these canal extensions along Foreshore Road (around the hospital, and
towards Cornwall Street). It is quite evident, even to the casual observer, that a similar technique can be employed to extend the
canal pass the sand barrier and into the sea. This does not cost a lot of money and does not take a lot of time. All it
takes is some stones, a mesh, and a hard day's worth of work.
If this issue is not a priority and good use of the tax-payers' money then please tell me what is? Speaking of tax-payers,
does anyone have a right to ask these residents to pay more taxes under these conditions? If this condition
is not just cause for a tax revolt, then I don't know what is. Maybe that is what it will take to make this issue
rise to the highest level of priority, where it properly belongs when it comes to the disbursement of the tax-payers' money.
A LONGER TERM PROBLEM
Flooding is not the only problem with the drainage system in Falmouth. The drainage system in general, is an environmental disaster slowly in the making.
The household wastewater is from the laundry, shower/bath, kitchen sink, basins, and pipe stands. This wastewater contains grease,
detergents, paint, toxins, blood, spit, other bodily excrements and just about anything you can imagine that goes down the drain.
All this wastewater then goes untreated into the surrounding sea and mangrove. Yes, the fish we eat from the sea and other marine
life will eventually become polluted by our own waste (obviously a health hazard), so there needs to be a long term plan to have a wastewater treatment facility
before the wastewater is allowed to run into the sea. Somewhere behind "Pond School" might be appropriate for such a facility.
Actually, the "little park" in front of the library (currently a netball court) might even be a better place for that facility.
--
C. Paul Earle
May 2003
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Author: C. Paul Earle
e-mail: PEarle@PeoplePC.com
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Corroborating research:
Where do all the gutters lead?
The gutters from every home in "grass-piece" (north of Duke Street and west of Market Street) end up in the Trelawny Street
gutter and ultimately out to the sea.
The gutters from every home north of the square (Oliver Street) to Tharpe Street end up in the sea by the fisherman's beach
between the Court House and "Public Works".
The gutters from every home on Market Street (south of Duke Street) end up in the mangrove
on the south eastern side of the town.
Link: MORE PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
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