Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 31, 2019 (SKNIS): Mr. Cromwell Williams, Director of the Public Works Department (PWD) said that the building the new Basseterre High School at Ponds Estate does not present a danger to the potable water supply.
Mr. Williams’ comments were made during a nationally televised Community Forum on the new Basseterre High School held at the Tucker Clarke Primary School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.
The Director stated, “Our advice to the Cabinet was that given that the Pond’s Estate site is at least one thousand feet downstream of the closest well…and furthermore, it is in an area of the Basseterre Valley which was never used for potable water extraction, and it is very unlikely to be used for potable water extraction, coupled with the use of modern wastewater technology, this site does not present a danger to the potable water supply.”
Mr. Williams was at the time referring to a technical report of the proposed sites for the building of the new Basseterre High School that was submitted to the Cabinet.
He explained that the final decision for the location of the new school was made after a rigorous and exhaustive process that saw the involvement of professionals, from both public and private sectors, in various fields. Recommendations were received from various committees including the site selection committee and the water experts committee.
“Cabinet decided based on our recommendations to proceed with the Ponds Estate site with the caveat that all stringent measures are to be implemented to ensure that any discharge to the soil meets accepted water discharge standards,” said Mr. Williams.
He addressed environmental concerns by saying that the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis should feel confident that their interests in education, water and health are being upheld with research being done on the changes and patterns that have occurred over the past 20 years with respect to wells.
