00:00In the height of the July-August vacation, fishermen and friends of the sea is raising concerns over the quantity of seawater at some of our nation's most popular beaches.
00:12But 10 years ago, the IMA put out warning signs on Maracas Beach because of fecal contamination that emanates from the community and goes into the beach.
00:23And in 2018, they did a report about bathing beach water quality along the Chagramas Peninsula.
00:31And it was frightening what they said because fecal contamination causes all kinds of illnesses.
00:40They can get hepatitis, gastrointestinal illnesses, respiratory infections.
00:46It's especially dangerous for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
00:52The IMA's 2018 report labels the pollution of marine and coastal waters as a critical problem, manifesting through high nutrient, heavy metal, suspended solids, and microbial levels in many areas.
01:08The report identified variations in seawater quality at certain parts of several beaches, depending on the season and proximity to sewage treatment plants, drains, or inputs like rivers.
01:22And people are trusting in our government that we are monitoring these things, but we are not.
01:29And the IMA have a duty.
01:31Now, in 2022, the IMA produced a report, and that cabinet did not want to make it public.
01:38But this cabinet has a duty to own up and make it public.
01:42Every month, we should have monitoring reports on fecal contamination.
01:47The public should be aware that this beach don't go to.
01:50And at one point, they said that.
01:52It's the yachties that are discharging sewage in their vessel.
01:56The IMA has written in the 2019 report that it's not the yachties.
02:00A Buddhist calling out the current administration for the situation with the B-Thumb wastewater treatment plant.
02:08We can't pin the tail on any strange or orphan donkey.
02:13The tail must be pinned on the persons who approved the SIS contract and spent a billion dollars out of the treasury.
02:22On Friday, WASA reported that it could face an annual $35 million penalty from the Environmental Management Authority for ongoing discharge violations at the B-Thumb wastewater treatment plant.
02:36The plant now requires roughly $175 million in refurbishment works to meet regulatory standards.
02:45It's Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.
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