Angry residents of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) North Phase 2 in Couva woke up to the sight and smell of raw sewage in their yards yesterday. Ramesh Maharaj, a resident of Oak Drive, said the problem started on Sunday afternoon.
He said he noticed the drains in front of his house and the storm drain at the rear of his home filled with black, smelly water. Maharaj said he felt unsafe to stay at home, because he feared to catch diseases, since the sewerage system on his compound was also backing up and spilling water in his yard.
Adolphus Charles, president of Couva North Gardens Village Council, said the problem had occurred several times in the past, and caused a lot of distress to residents. Charles said the problem occurred when the pumping station at Couva North Phase 1 broke down. He said he was attempting to contact WASA.
Vindra Gopaul, another resident, said she was worried about her two primary school-aged children.
"This is a regular thing, I saw the manhole overflowing on to the streets and filling up the drains. Is it safe for children to walk here? "We already have so many problems in this community, including crime and swine flu. My children can't eat because of the smell."