The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

CHESAPEAKE homeowners are demanding the removal of a nearby sewage treatment plant that they believe is the source of ongoing foul odours and a health concern in that residential area.

Last week Monday, several residents protested outside the Grand Bahama Utility Company’s offices on Cedar Street demanding the relocation of the plant.

Resident Shuffel Hepburn claimed that residents have been frequently getting sick with the flu, eye irritations, breathing problems and respiratory illnesses.

Just two weeks ago, resident Michael Wilchcombe was rushed to hospital with breathing problems and later died on June 5. Leon Smith, a resident of Chesapeake, had died previously.

While there is no proof that their deaths are linked to the sewage plant, both the men lived closest to the facility, which handles raw sewage from the hotels on the Lucaya strip.

“We do not believe them when they say that the pond is causing the odour; natural ponds in the Bahamas are harmless unless they are interfered with. We strongly believe that the plant is the source of our problem,” Mr Hepburn claimed.

The area resident of 17 years has moved out of his house.

Mr Hepburn reported that testing and monitoring was conducted in several homes in the area for hydrogen sulphide, which is a colourless gas with characteristic foul odour of rotten eggs.

“We went around and did hydrogen sulphide monitoring of the area and we got the highest reading in the Wilchcombe’s home, especially in the master bedroom,” he said.

According to Mr Hepburn, Mr Wilchcombe’s wife had also been hospitalised with breathing problems in the past.

Other residents, including Jackie Smith, Sandra Borowski, and Tupence Wilchcombe have also spoken out. Mr Hepburn said that Mrs Wilchcombe, Mrs Smith and her late husband had been hospitalised numerous times in the past with breathing problems. He stressed that both the Wilchcombes’ and the Smiths’ residences are nearest in proximity to the plant.

“We want to bring attention to the people who are getting sick in the area,” Mr Hepburn said of the demonstration last week.

The Tribune attempted to contact Arthur Jones, vice president of Building and Development at the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), but he did not return our call.

Mr Hepburn claimed Mr Jones and executives of GBPA have done nothing to address the problem.

Mr Hepburn felt that Mr Jones’ comments in response to last week’s demonstration were an insult to the residents of Chesapeake, especially to the Wilchcombe family.

“We will continue to voice our concerns so that pressure can be brought about on GBPA to remove the sewage plant from the area,” he said.