Photos on Tuesday’s front page raised an old concern: Opening the beach channel run-off from Fresh Pond to lower its level in case of heavy rains and prevent more flooding.
This allows grey water from the nearby purification plant as well as raw sewage that finds its way into the pond elsewhere to run into the sea. In this case usual warnings against swimming in that area had been omitted, despite the presence of two cruise ships on Wednesday.
It was understandably a problem in the past for the adjacent former Great Bay Beach Hotel and will be again if Canadian Sunwing Group ever makes good on plans to build a Planet Hollywood Resort there. Most environmentalists would probably agree that the practice is not sustainable.
Mind you, floodgates at the Illidge Road roundabout in Zagersgut are supposed to provide overflow capacity into Great Salt Pond, which in turn is relieved by pumping excess volume into Rolandus Canal at the other side of Philipsburg. However, there have been technical issues with pumps, forcing the Fire Department to use its hoses placed across the road not too long ago. In addition, this water also ends up in the sea near Bobby’s Marina, which is actually frequented by more beach-goers.
What then? Another large basin would be needed to serve as floodplain with less direct negative ecological impact. Perhaps such an endeavour could even be part of efforts to create a comprehensive wastewater management system using means from the half-a-billion-dollar Dutch-sponsored St. Maarten Trust Fund managed by the World Bank.
It’s just food for thought.
