A group of concerned residents in Spring Village say that persons living in the area known as the “corner) in Spring Village will be exposed to dangerous chemicals as St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (Vinlec) moves to repair its wood stave pipeline.
The group said in its Facebook post that Vinlec’s pipeline at Cumberland is set for a major overhaul; however, there has been no consultation with residents.
In an email on Friday 12, Vinlec informed the St Vincent Times; “the company is currently planning an overhaul of a portion of our pipeline infrastructure in the Cumberland/Spring Village area”.
“The repair works form part of our ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance our operations, as the pipelines are integral to the generation of electricity at our Cumberland Hydrostation. While the relevant materials are already on hand to execute repairs, a specific start date for the overhaul has not yet been set.”
The group noted that residents can smell the chemical scent on the wood stave material at least a hundred feet away from the actual location, especially when the wind blows.
In an email to this publication, Vinlec stated that they have chemically treated the wood stave pipelines initially installed at VINLEC hydrostations at South Rivers in the 1950s, Richmond in the 1960s, and Cumberland in the 1980s to ensure their preservation.
“It should be noted that all wood treatment has a level of toxicity; however, the company will ensure members of the public are informed of the safety issues relating to interactions with the pipeline,” the email stated.
The company further noted in its email to St Vincent Times; “prior to the commencement of repair work on the pipeline, the company will conduct consultations and ensure all details are circulated publicly to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the process”.
The group alleges that the scent of the chemicals is causing sickness such as cancer, as residents who live closer to the pipeline are now being diagnosed with this type of disease and are urging the Ministry of Health to look into this matter.
