KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Parliamentary representative for North Leeward Roland “Patel” Matthews has written to Garth Saunders, manager of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority asking for a delay in the implementation of in the new water rates in the constituency.
Vincentians will next month begin paying the CWSA at least EC$5 more for water and solid waste management.
Matthews believes that the increased rates are unjustified but is asking for a delay became of the poor quality of the water in the constituency when it rains.
“I, Roland “Patel” Matthews, as the Member of Parliament for North Leeward, I have written formally to the manager of the CWSA. The gist of my letter is basically to say to him that whenever it rains in North Leeward we are experiencing a very poor product. … we are basically, as we say in the local parlance, [are] ‘drinking muddy water’,” Matthews said on radio yesterday.
He sad that the CWSA is aware of the situation and its manager has asked publicly for constituents to bare with the company as it tries to resolve the situation this year.
“He said the problem comes from the fact that there is no filtration at the Hermitage collection point, hence the reason whenever it rains the water becomes dirty,” Matthew said of Saunders.
Matthews said that several constituents have called the situation to his attention, hence his letter.
“I have not received an answer but I am just putting it out there. … I have written formally to the company for a delay in the new rates being implemented,” he said.
Rather than the CWSA increasing its rates, the government should “pay their dues,” Matthews further stated.
He said many constituents have had their water supply disconnected people because they are unable to pay.
“Now, what do you think is going to happen when the new rates [are implemented]? It will be worse because those persons who were borderline are going to fall into the category where they can’t pay,” he said.