PUC reassures La Misere residents that water supply is now safe |23 February 2010

Sunday’s meeting in progress

The corporation’s deputy chief executive Joel Valmont said this on Sunday during a special meeting between the affected residents and all agencies involved in dealing with the case.

The meeting, which took place in the Souvenir Hall at La Misere, was also attended by the National Assembly member for Grand Anse Mahe Waven William, public health commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon representing the Ministry of Health and principal secretary Didier Dogley from the Department of Environment. However, there were no representatives of the construction company responsible for polluting the water supply.

During the meeting, Mr William however announced that this building firm has agreed to pay compensation to all those who have been affected by the incident (see lead story).

He said people who wish to claim must fill in a form available at Grand Anse district administration, giving all relevant information including medical certificates, cash receipts for extra expenses and details of any maintenance work needed on their water pipes.

Mr William told the residents that once they fill in the form, their cases will be dealt with on an individual basis. He also said this company will soon build a new water reservoir with a new piping system at La Misère.

Reassuring the residents that the water they are now getting was safe, Mr Valmont explained that it does not have any contact with the previous water system, which has been shut down while waiting for the results of tests by the health authority.

He explained that the PUC has increased its usual dosage of chlorine – from the normal 0.1-0.3mg per litre of water to 1.5mg per litre – to ensure that the pipes are well disinfected. He added that the extra chlorine is an acceptable dose and that consumers are safe.

Mr Valmont later confirmed that the PUC will not charge affected consumers for the month of February, though they will have to bring their water bills to the district administration office for inspection.

Dr Gedeon said preliminary results of tests carried out on soil samples showed they are contaminated. The ministry is now carrying out a soil disinfection exercise on a regular basis, he added.

Mr Dogley said his department is continuing to see that the problems are rectified, with constant monitoring of the situation.

Among the main concerns raised by the residents on Sunday were the failure on the part of the authority to alert them in time about the incident and the contractors’ absence from the meeting.