Beachgoers at Vigie say they are relieved that the completion of drainage works has ended sewer leaks in the area.
Vendors on the beach told St. Lucia Times last month that overflowing septic tanks servicing nearby restaurants and paid toilets had been a recurring issue for nearly seven years. However, late last year, the situation reached a critical point, with three of the eight waste tanks causing run-off leaks that flowed across a large section of the beach and onto the road near the George F.L. Charles Airport, piercing the air with a foul odour.
The National Conservation Authority (NCA) has since attended to the most recent leak. A server at a nearby restaurant told St. Lucia Times on February 25 that the issue has stopped and has not occurred over the last few weeks.
Pointing to the area where the septic tanks are located, he said, “Yes, you see the yellow tape? They did work there, and we haven’t seen leaks in a while.”
A restaurant owner also confirmed that the work is complete and said she is satisfied with the outcome.
A taxi driver who came to the beach to drop off visitors shared a similar sentiment. “I passed here with my son a few weeks ago and was disgusted, so I’m happy to see it’s been fixed,” he said.
Beach chair vendors likewise expressed satisfaction, having previously raised concerns about the sewer leak’s impact on their business.
The cause of the leak has not been confirmed or agreed upon by all entities. The NCA has cited poor disposal of food scraps and the implementation of a policy requiring restaurants to install grease traps to reduce pipe blockages. However, some restaurant tenants have disputed those claims, arguing instead that the problem stems from inadequate maintenance of the facility by the authorities.
The NCA has previously indicated that the current fixes are temporary. In January, the agency said it is engaging a consultant to provide a long-term solution to the problem.
