est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Update: The Scotland District Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Project

The following is a report received on progress to develop the ‘challenging’ Scotland District – Blogmaster The Scotland District Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Project got underway last Monday at Shorey Village St. Andrew. This project is being financed by a $230 million loan from EXIM bank of china.  This comes after the government spent the…

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The following is a report received on progress to develop the ‘challenging’ Scotland District – Blogmaster

The Scotland District Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Project got underway last Monday at Shorey Village St. Andrew. This project is being financed by a $230 million loan from EXIM bank of china.  This comes after the government spent the last two years investing millions of dollars into improving the water infrastructure and supply in the St.Joseph, St, Andrew and St. John, refurbish and reopen outpatient clinics in St. Joseph and St.Andrew and the construction of the Hillcrest Community Centre in Bathsheba.

The road and bridge rehabilitation project is a part of government’s plan to revitalize life in rural Barbados given that people have been leaving the area of the scotland district in relatively large numbers. The water problems have now been largely fixed except for one final project and now the government is now turning its attention to the road and bridge infrastructure in the Scotland District. Some have suggested, that given the land slippage in the district, that it should be abandoned, many disagree.  The Scotland District comprises 1/7th of Barbados’s land area, given Barbados’ small size and the very fact that it can be characterized as effectively a city-state, I don’t think abandoning such a large portion of our land area is wise.  Another factor is the economic potential that the unique characteristics of the area lends itself to. 

Let us wish the project well since it has great potential to benefit the people living in those parishes and the country as a whole. 

47 responses to “Update: The Scotland District Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Project”

  1. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Any more Criticismisms?
    Criticism

  2. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    Barbados is obviously not paying attention to the dangers of borrowing from the yellow giant. China is not like the MIF or CDB in that it never forgives loans. Repayment is always demanded, usually in the form of property assets or decade use agreements. Dangerous path for Barbados, like the saying goes, IF YOU LYE DOWN WITH THE DOGS YOU GET UP WITH FLEES. Also there is significant danger of alienating the powerful neighbours.

  3. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    Isn’t that their jobs, what they are being paid for as EMPLOYEES of the PEOPLE…to build reservoirs etc…..they are doing NO ONE ANY FAVORS…

    ….now if the BILLIONS STOLEN FROM THE TREASURY, VAT. AND PENSION FUND …the PEOPLE’S MONEY, do do the same DECADES AGO………there would be NO NEED for a 230 million dollar loan from anyone..

  4. John Avatar
    John

    We’ll wait and see how much water is available to put in the new reservoir.

    If they could not keep the old one supplied, we all have a kind of inkling what will happen with the new one.

  5. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    The BWA is probably the best entity in Barbados that symbolizes brassbowlery.
    It is as if they employ a team of 11plus under performers to do their planning.

    The SINGLE biggest problem that the BWA has, is that they cannot tell us how much water is leaking into the ground, or WHERE those leaks are…

    Now this is interesting, since THEY pump (and presumably measure) all the water INTO the system.
    AND they bill (and presumably measure) all the water used by customers. How hard is simple subtraction?

    One would ALSO think that by looking at different SECTIONS, they could identify the worse areas for leaks and concentrate on fixing THOSE issues.
    BUT NAH!!!

    That would be too simple and obvious…. so instead, they :
    … Invest MILLIONS in expensive desalination plant to produce the most expensive water available – to be pumped into the UNKNOWN leaks…
    … They BORROW MILLIONS to build large reservoirs to store MORE water, that can then be pumped into the UNKNOWN leaks…
    … They buy FLEETS of water tankers, and invest in ‘stand-pipes’, so that 21st Century Bajans can experience what our grandparents had to endure – while paying through our noses for the inconvenience…

    Meanwhile, the BWA experts have ALSO solved the South Coast Sewerage problem using their 11plus advisors. Some day soon, THAT shit will hit the fan. ….or a beach.

  6. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    Where does the number come from that 50-60% leakage occurs?

  7. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Where does the number come from that 50-60% leakage occurs?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Bullshit baffles brains.

  8. GP Avatar
    GP

    THE JENNY ASS BRAYS AGAIN
    NEVER WAS THERE A WOMAN WHO IS SO NEGATIVE

    THE ONLY PURPOSE FOR HER ON BU IS TO SEND UP THE POST COUNT ON ANY BLOG AS SHE NEVER OFFERS ANYTHING OF REAL SUBSTANCE

    THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR ANY EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE AND AMELIORATE THE
    LIVING CONDITIONS AND ECONOMIC AND OTHER POTENTIAL FOR ANY SECTION OF THE ISLAND

    I DO AGREE WILL WILY’S CAVEATS, HOWEVER.

    STRATEGICALLY THOUGH, THERE REALLY IS NOT AS MUCH NEED FOR AN OUT PATIENT’S CLINIC IN ST ANDREW, , ANYMORE THAN THERE IS FOR ONE IN ANY OF THE PLACES IN WHAT I DETERMINED TO BE THE ZONE TWO CATCHMENT AREA, WHICH IS WELL SERVED BY THE MAJOR HEALTH CENTER FOR THIS ZONE AT WARRENS—BY FAR THE BEST CITED OF ALL THE POLYCLINICS

    FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE OTHER JENNY ASS, OUR NHS IS DELIBERATELY & DEFINITELY NOT BASED ON THE UK SYSTEM

    THE UK SYSTEM IS BASED ON GP’S WHO ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE 24/7/365 IN THIER PRACTICES.

    OUR SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO WORK FROM STRATEGICALY POSITIONED POLYCLINICS, DEMANDING MUCH LESS PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IN 1985 THE LOCAL DOCTORS CLOSED RANKS AND REFUSED TO BE AVAILABLE 24/7/365 IN THIER PRACTICES.

    WHEN IN 1976, TOM ADAMS PROPOSED A NHS LIKE THAT IN THE UK, THAT CAPTIVATED HIS YOUNG MIND WHEN HE WENT THERE IN THE EARLY 5O’S, I SPENT MANY AFTERNOONS IN THE SCIENCE LIBRARY AT MONA, PERUSING THE JOURNAL OF THE GENERAL PRACTIONERS OF THE UK RESEARCHING ALL OF THE NHS SYSTEMS OF EUROPE.

    WHEN THE LOCAL DRS REBELLED AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT AFTER THE REPORT OF THE FOUNDATION SOLICITED FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION, I WAS ABLE TO OFFER A PLAN, WHICH THOUGH NOT IMPLEMENTED AS ADVISED, HAS WORKED FAIRLY WELL.

    THERE IS NOTHING TO MATCH IT IN EITHER CANADA OR THE USA.—–OR ANYWHERE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER

    NOW I AM SURE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER WORTHY PROPOSALS IN HEALTH (THAT I KNOW OF FOR SURE) , AND IN OTHER AREAS WHICH HAVE BITTEN THE DUST, BECAUSE THE MORONS IN CHARGE OF THAT AREA WERE INEPT, IGNORANT, INSECURE AND MANY OTHER “INS”

    LETS HAVE THE USUAL NEGATIVE AND POORLY ARTICULATED RESPONSES AND INANE MUSIC OR EVEN TEK DOWN THIS POST

  9. GP Avatar
    GP

    JOHN
    THAT RESERVOIR CAN, IN MY VIEW BE SUPPLIED BY DELIVERING THE HIGH VOLUME OF WATER THAT RUNS DOWN FROM THE HEIGHTS OF THAT REGION WHEN IT RAINS TO A CATCHMENT AREA, FROM WHICH IT CAN BE PUMPED

    WHEN I LIVED IN THAT GENERAL AREA I SET UP A STORING TANK TO RECIEVE THE WATER FROM MY DRIVE WAY, ROOF TOP ETC, FROM WHICH I COULD IRRIGATE MY CROPS USING GRAVITY BECAUSE OF THE SLOPE OF THE LAND.

    AS AN ENGINEER AND HYDROLOGIST, I AM SURE THAT YOU CAN DELIVER AN EFFECTIVE PLAN TO CAPTURE THE MASSIVE VOLUMES OF WATER THAT DESTROYS THE ROADWAYS IN THAT AREA

  10. GP Avatar
    GP

    OF COURSE AS BUSHTEA OPINES, THE ISSUE OF LEAKS MUST BE CORRECTED FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY

    IT SEEMS THAT WE NEED TO EMPLOY MORE COMPETENT PERSONS IN ALL AREAS OF GOVERNANCE, AND LESS INCOMPETENT IMBECILES IN CHARGE

    I CERTAINLY LEARNED THIS WHEN I WAS SEVING IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

  11. GP Avatar
    GP

    JOHN

    MY CHALLENGE TO YOU IS after or during some heavy rains, to

    1- DRIVE HIGHWAY D FROM SHOP HILL HEIGHTS TO ST ANDREWS PARISH CHURCH

    2- THEN DRIVE HIGHWAY 2 FROM STURGES TO BELLEPLAINE

    3- THE OTHER OFFSHOTS FROM HIGHWAY 2 THAT TRAVERSES THE SCOTLAND DISTRICT

    4 HIGHWAY E FROM MELVINS HILL DOWN WARDS

    5 HIGHWAY 3 FROM SAY ANDREWS FACTORY INTO BATSHEBA

    I know you have walked all the areas CONTIGUOUS to these roads, which must often be repaired mainly because of the damage of water at 1O LBS PER GALLOM TIMES FORCE

    THEN REPORT BACK YOUR FINDINGS TO US HERE ON BU PLUS OR MINIUS YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
    CLEARLY FOLK AT BWA AND OTHERS NEED TO GET OFF THEIR BACKSIDES AND DO SOME BASIC RESEARCH OF THIS KIND —— IT IS CALLED FIELD TRIPS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

    THEN THOSE OF US WITH BRAINS (NOT THE MORONS) CAN PICK IT TO PIECES AND IMPROVE ON YOUR THOUGHTS

    THAT IS WHAT BARBADOS UNDERGROUND SHOULD BE DOING INSTEAD OF THE DAILY EFFLUX OF BOVINE EXCREMENT BY THE BU BETZPAENIC BARKERS AND BRAYERS—-WHICH DESERVES MOCKING

  12. Dullard Avatar
    Dullard

    That would be too simple and obvious…. so instead, they :
    … Invest MILLIONS in expensive desalination plant to produce the most expensive water available – to be pumped into the UNKNOWN leaks…
    … They BORROW MILLIONS to build large reservoirs to store MORE water, that can then be pumped into the UNKNOWN leaks…
    … They buy FLEETS of water tankers, and invest in ‘stand-pipes’, so that 21st Century Bajans can experience what our grandparents had to endure – while paying through our noses for the inconvenience…

    +++++++++
    You forgot building a multi-million dollar monument on Pine Hill.

  13. John Avatar
    John

    GPAugust 29, 2022 8:39 AM

    JOHN
    THAT RESERVOIR CAN, IN MY VIEW BE SUPPLIED BY DELIVERING THE HIGH VOLUME OF WATER THAT RUNS DOWN FROM THE HEIGHTS OF THAT REGION WHEN IT RAINS TO A CATCHMENT AREA, FROM WHICH IT CAN BE PUMPED

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    The runoff gets used.

    The visible runoff eventually goes underground in wells and suck holes and percolates through underground streams the coral which is extremely porous at those elevations.

    It ends up in the underground sheet water area, a huge underground reservoir at sea level.

    Some is taken from the underground streamwater that flows into the Applewhaite’s Basin at the pumping station close to Exchange.

    As it passes through the soil and coral it is “purified” and filtered and is almost fit for human consumption.

    Some chlorination completes the job.

    It is better for it to take its time travelling underground to the extraction points at the Belle, Codrington and Newmarket because with a travel time of 300 plus days, bacteria and viruses largely disappear.

    If it is caught and stored on the surface, it doesn’t get the “purification” and filtration or the travel time and ends up in surface ponds where evaporation will make it disappear in days/weeks before it can be treated and used.

    Getting it underground and keeping it there removes evaporation loss and long travel times “purifies” the water.

    Gravity is free.

    There is however a cost for pumping.

  14. John Avatar
    John

    I’ll show you that BWA has to be on top of leaks and I know this from a simple fact.

    All of the available underground water was allocated 30 years ago.

    Leaks at that time were said to be 50-60%.

    In that period the BLP allocated the unused Porters catchment to Westmoreland and Apes Hill, 2 mgd out of a maximum 44 mgd gone.

    They took the Trents Catchment out from what I hear by allowing Apes Hill Golf Course to build a dam at Farmers and use the water.

    Molyneux and Norwood catchments went to Sandy Lane.

    Yet, housing developments in Barbados and construction in Barbados continue and are supplied, albeit problematically in drought years by BWA.

    The so called desal plant added a little but the point is that there is no way BWA could be supplying what it does over the past 30 years without having a handle on its leaks.

    Maybe it is my imagination but I do not see water leaks on the road as I used to in the past.

    The problem is not a technical one at BWA, it is in the complete lack of strategic thinking among our MP’s.

    They haven’t got a clue and land brings $$ so they don’t care.

  15. John Avatar
    John

    The problem is the available water is limited by rainfall and catchment area!!!

    We got all we are going to be getting.

    It is just misused by flawed Town Planning.

  16. GP Avatar
    GP

    THANKS JOHN FOR EDUCATING ME AND OTHERS IN YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE IN HYDROLOGY

    BUT WHAT CAN YOU SUGGEST IN YOUR CAPACITY AS AN ENGINEER AS A NEEDFUL SOLUTION FOR TAKING THE WATER OF THESE ROADS AND REDUCING THE PERPETUAL AND PERENNIAL REBUILDING OF THESE IMPORTANT ARTERIES INTO THE SCOTLAND DISTRICT

    CLEARLY THERE IS SEEMINGLY NOT THE NECESSARY COLLABORATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND MINISTRIES AS THERE OUGHT TO BE

    I SEE THAT AREA AS PART OF A TRIANGULAR WEDGE OF THE ISLAND WHICH I CALLED ZONE TWO MAINLY FOR HEALTH PURPOSES WITH WARRENS AS THE APEX OF THE TRIANGLE

    NOW IT IS FOR THE LEADERS AND THE CITIZENRY OF THIS (AND OTHER WEDGES) TO SUGGEST WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE IN ALL AREAS OF THIS (OR THEIR WEDGE) THAT CAN IMPROVE THE LOT OF THE INHABITANTS THEREOF.

    INSTEAD OF STUPID REVISIONS OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, WHY NOT INVOLVE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE SYSTEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THEIR AREA BOTH AS SCHOOL GOERS AND AS SCHOOL LEAVERS. IN THIS WAY ALL WILL OR SHOULD FIND THEIR NICHE FOR SERVICE AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES.

    THE WEALTHY IN EACH AREA SHOULD USE THEIR WEALTH TO SUPPORT THESE ACTIVITIES VOLUNTARILY, OR VIA TAX INCENTIVES

    I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT, AS BUSH TEA ADVOCATED HERE ON BU YEARS AGO, THAT IT IS FROM SUCH ACTIVITIES AND PERSONNEL THAT OUR PARLIAMENT AND POLITICAL ADMINISTRATIONS SHOULD BE DERIVED.

  17. GP Avatar
    GP

    MY WEDGE THEORY WAS INTRODUCED BECAUSE IN PUBLIC HEALTH I WAS TAUGHT THAT TRANSPORTATION IS KEY, AND I USED THIS PRINCIPLE BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS OBSERVATION THAT TRAFFIC MOVES TOWARDS THE ABC HIGHWAY (WHICH IS A KIN TO THE TWO MAIN VESSELS IN THE BODY) ON THE WAY TO OR AWAY FROM OUR CAPITAL IN WEDES FROM AREAS IN THE ISLAND’S PERIPHERY TO THIS CORE..

    I PREFERRED THE WEDGE TO PARISHES OR CONSTITUENCIES FOR HEALTH PURPOSES SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE WAY OR HIGHWAYS AND MAIN ARTERIES FOR TRANSPORTATION WORK, AND FOR CONVENIENCE AND CONSOLIDATION OF RESOURCES.(SINCE MUCH OF OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS TENDS TO BE INTER PAROCHIAL RATHER THAN INTRAPAROCHIAL.

    HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT EXAMINED MY WEDGE WITH RESPECT TO OTHER SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES, BUT IT MIGHT BE BETTER TO CONSIDER JUST 7 WEDGES THAN 11 PARISHES OR 30 CONSTITUENCIES.

    JUST A THOUGHT

  18. John Avatar
    John

    GPAugust 29, 2022 10:47 AM

    THANKS JOHN FOR EDUCATING ME AND OTHERS IN YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE IN HYDROLOGY

    BUT WHAT CAN YOU SUGGEST IN YOUR CAPACITY AS AN ENGINEER AS A NEEDFUL SOLUTION FOR TAKING THE WATER OF THESE ROADS AND REDUCING THE PERPETUAL AND PERENNIAL REBUILDING OF THESE IMPORTANT ARTERIES INTO THE SCOTLAND DISTRICT

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Scotland District is a whole nother kettle of fish.

    A completely different thought process for this seventh of the island.

    Impervious to water unlike the coral section so all rain water ends up as surface runoff that goes to the sea principally at Long Pond and Green Pond and through Joe’s River.

    Best I can offer is to reafforest the slopes and use natural means to slow the run off which has happened naturally as agriculture has lost its importance.

    Maintaining the terracing is important as well. A fortune was spent in the 60’s and 70’s.

    Amazing to see the difference in vegetation in the 1951 aerial photo vs what is there now.

    Back in 1951 it was bare and used for agriculture.

    I’ve read of instances in the 1800’s in old newspapers of people getting washed away in Joe’s River and in the water course just east of Haggats both of which are just a trickle most time.

    Coleridge Pilgrim told me of an experience he had in the watercourse by Haggatts which was dry at the time.

    He had a team of workers doing some clearing and they heard a roar.

    He ordered everybody out in time to see a flood of water pass.

    Even though there was no rain where they were working it had rained up in the higher elevations in the Springvale Valley and the runoff came in a rush.

    Not much to you can do against that force of water.

    If they had not left the watercourse they would have been washed out to sea via Long Pond.

  19. GP Avatar
    GP

    JOHN

    IT IS CLEAR THAT WE HAVE LOST MAINY OF OUR AGRICULTURIST OF NOTE BOTH FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND FOR THEIR PRACTICAL INVOLVEMENT, AND THIS INCLUDES THE HUMBLE PERSONS WHO OBSERVED INTENTLY DURING THEIR LABOURS IN THIER FIELDS.

    RE Not much to you can do against that force of water.
    I AGREE THAT IO LBS PER GALLON X F IS SUBSTANTIAL, BUT FROM YOUR RESEARCH IS THERE ANY THING THAT CAN BE ADOPTED FOR ROAD DESIGN THAT IS DONE TO OBVIATE THE FREQUENT DESTRUCTION OF THE MAJOR ROAD ARTERIES INTO THIS REGION?

    RE all rain water ends up as surface runoff that goes to the sea principally at Long Pond and Green Pond and through Joe’s River.

    Q1
    CAN THE RESERVOIR’S STORAGE CAPACITY BE REFILLED BY PUMPING FROM THESE NATURAL SOURCES
    Q2
    IS THE RESERVOIR CORRECTLY SITED WITH THE PUMPING OF WATER FROM THESE SOURCES IN VIEW?
    IF SO, HOW SO?
    IF NOT, WHY NOT? AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP IF THE WRONG SITE HAS BEEN CHOSEN?

    I GUESS YOU KNOW THAT SITES ARE OFTEN CHOSEN WILLY NILLY IN BARBADOS BECAUSE SOMETHING SIMILAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR AGES, OR TO GIVE THE OWNER OF THE LAND WHO IS A PARTY MEMBER A “ROAST”..

    GOOD EXAMPLE IS IN HEALTH.
    ONE OF THE FIRST UWI GRADUATES TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR HEALTH SERVICES WAS PROF STANDARD.
    HE INITIATED CENTERS IN 3 LOCATIONS IN BIM IN THE 5O’S.
    THE CENTER AT SIX CROSS ROADS IN ST PHILIP REMAINS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE , AS SIX ROADS IS AN EXCELLENT HUB AND CATCHMENT FOR THE SOUTHERN AREAS OF BOTH MY WEDGE 5 AND WEDGE SIX AREAS

    GALL HILL AND THE GLEBE WERE GOOD CALLS IN THE 5O’S, AS NOTHING EXISTED AT THE TIME, BUT TO HAVE TWO MAJOR CENTERS IN WEDGE 4 AND ON THE SAME HIGHWAY MAKES NO SENSE TODAY

    THE APEX OF THIS WEDGE MUST BE WHERE HIGHWAYS X, 4 AND 4A AND THOSE IN BETWEEN, AND BY THE SIDES MUST PAST IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SALTERS HIGHWAY 4 JUNCTION NEAR THE ABC HIGHWAY. THAT IS WHY WARRENS THOUGH SITED BY SERENDIPITY IS OUR BEST CITED POLYCLINIC. AT THE APEX OF MY WEDGE 2

    (ALWAYS REMEMBER TRANSPORTATION IS THE KEY IN HEALTH SERVICE DESIGN, AND LOCATION MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION HOW FOLK GET TO CLINIC)

    I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES SINCE 1962 HAS CREATED IN OUR NATION
    A LARGE NUMBER OF FOLK WHO CAN BRING TO THE TABLE EXCELLENT IDEAS TO SOLVE MANY OR MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS—–IF ALLOWED, BEFORE THE IMMINENT “CLOSE OF PLAY”.

    BUT WE HAVE TO STOP THE UNNECESSARY CRAB IN THE BARREL BEHAVIOR, PARTY TRIBALISM

    FOR EXAMPLE BRANFORD TAIIT DID A GOOD JOB RESURRECTING ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL, WHICH WAS BEGINNING TO FUNCTION IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

    HE ALSO GOT THE OPTHALMOLOGY CENTER BUILT

    WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THESE?

  20. FearPlay Avatar
    FearPlay

    Wily, you could not have said a more accurate thing about who we are, no, not we, the government has chosen to borrow from and the increasing amounts. Has the government ever explained to the people of this country what terms and conditions they have agreed to with the Chinese loans taken out in our names? What is the interest rate? Will that rate remain constant throughout the life of the loan? What are the penalties if there is a default? If yes, please state. How deeply in debt are we with the China? Can we meet out debt payment to them now and in the future? Are there any restrictions on who we can associate with in the international arena as a result of begging for Chinese money? Not written but implied.

    I am sure thinks brains on the blog will have many more probing questions of government regarding monies borrowed in our names and without our consent that will have to be repaid by our children and grand children.

  21. David Avatar
    David

    @FearPlay

    The particulars of the term sheet should be shared with the public ESPECIALLY given the financial state of the economy and sacrifices we have been asked to bear. That said BOTH BLP and DLP obviously have a tacit agreement to seal particulars about these matters.

    How do we break the knot?

  22. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Why can’t you be like this ALL of the time?

  23. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Our honourable government always has the common good in mind. In gratitude for the great projects, the citizens of this district should continue to vote BLP in the future … so that the water and electricity do not suddenly fail.

    I also welcome the close cooperation with the People’s Republic of China. Here, two paradigmatic people’s democracies are working hand in hand for the benefit of humanity.

    Thank you, great Supreme Leaders!

  24. FearPlay Avatar
    FearPlay

    David, it is an effrontery to be constantly borrowing money on behalf of the citizens of this country without their consent. It is totally disrespectful and a show of disdain to borrow that money and never share with those who have to repay the debt any details about the conditions under which someone signed on our behalf.

    Politicians have been lulled into the belief that once they receive the X. they have been given the keys to the castle for however many years they chose, not beyond five years. They must be weaned off of that belief. The seven day wonder, short memory complex must be banished. We’ve seen how the Kadooment band leaders were able to get the attention of government, how the hospitality industry brought about change at GAIA in relation to Covid monitoring requirements. The Barbadian electorate must be more militant in demanding answers to questions that affect us all. To hell with party allegiance, be it B or D. Leave that for election time. When it come to running the country, you are doing your party a disservice by not asking the hard questions. An athlete will never reach peak performance unless challenged by harsh competition, so too those who we choose to govern us for a five year period.

    There is an old saying “Master easy, servant slack”. Our politicians need to be reminded who are the masters and who are the servants.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @FearPlay

    When a people give a government the overwhelming mandate that it has not once but twice, it will be difficult to make demands about drastic changes to our governance system.

    The government will argue as it is doing that the Scotland District represents 1/7 th of our landmass and monies borrowed are well spent. Time will tell.

    That said the blogmaster shares your concern the easy inclination successive governments have demonstrated to borrowing with debt to GDP already north of 150.

  26. John Avatar
    John

    Reservoirs

    I looked at minutes of the WWD at the turn of the 20th century and saw there were about three men who designed the water distribution system after Government took over the two private companies charged with delivering water to Bridgetown and to rural Bridgetown.

    Belle did not come onstream until the 1920’s and there were few reservoirs, my guess at the first one would be the one at above Springer Memorial which would have fed Bridgetown with water originally from Benn Spring in Newcastle Woods.

    Through the 20’s to the 60’s the engineers who designed and developed the supply system would have been from England before Keith Johnson and then Nicky Sealy took up the mantle.

    As a boy I remember the name Peter Parfitt as the engineer at WWD.

    The West Coast Wells did not come into production before the 1940’s I believe.

    There are simple principles for reservoirs I gleaned from reading the various reports.

    We have a gravity fed system mainly with each reservoir supplying lower elevations.

    Usually 200 feet range, so the reservoirs at Brittons Hill and above Springer Memorial will feed down to the coast.

    They will be fed from the nearest wells, Belle and I believe Codrington.

    Redundancy is built in because any pumping station can have problems.

    Each reservoir will supply one or more distribution areas.

    I’ll dig up the diagrams and spreadsheets I have.

  27. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Good reading!

  28. FearPlay Avatar
    FearPlay

    David, I hear you with the overwhelming confidence shown by the electorate in the two most recent elections sent a resounding message, and yet I am reminded that some of the biggest and most flamboyant marriage receptions do not guarantee the longevity of the marriage.

    There was a time when the mere existence of the “Three Blind Mice” supercharged the government of the day and its supporters with the confidence that they would rule until judgement day. The arrival of judgement day arrived more rapidly than expected. “Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad” could be paraphrased to “Those whom the gods wish to destroy are first made drunk with power”.

  29. John Avatar
    John

    The pumping stations for the public water supply are located in catchment areas which can keep them fed with water.

    None are in Christ Church as that area is dry and for most of the year its rainfall will not produce water over and above evaporation and transpiration losses that could end up underground for extraction by pumps.

    Besides, the area is built up and the water would be contaminated.

    The well under the fan mill at Aberdare (Sheraton) is in the sheet water area but the further inland you go from there, unless the well pierces a stream and that is pretty unlikely, the well will produce little water.

    There are easily over 700 wells in Barbados but many are dry.

    Durant’s Golf Course is on Sheet Water and can get water but not alot.

    Belle and Hampton are the most productive wells as they are in the two largest catchment areas and those areas extend into the higher elevations of Barbados where most rain falls.

    Small amounts of water are extracted from springs at Codrington College and in New Castle Woods (Benn Spring) but for the most part, the majority of the Scotland District is unused as a source of water.

    I suggested a while back that the water at Long Pond and Green Pond be first quantified and if sufficient, should be pumped up Greenland Hill and discharged into the gullies on the Western Flank that begin along the escarpment.

    This water has a potential boon as it comes from both catchment lower down and also from spring sources in the hills at the highest elevations where there is most rainfall. There could very well be a bonus as the shape of the escarpment focusses the output of the springs to Long Pond and Green Pond.

    In other words, the area may be 1/7th of the island but the shape in the higher elevations may magnify its output.

    The water would infiltrate the coral on the western flan of the island and work its way down underground to the underground “reservoirs” in the sheet water area around the coast.

    It would be “purified” and filtered naturally and might be ready for use with no treatment expenditure.

  30. David Avatar
    David

    @FearPlay

    The honeymoon period is over, that is for sure. If the PM wants to be regarded as a change maker there is no time like the present. We agitate, we wait.

  31. watchman Avatar
    watchman

    hello David how do I reach out to you.

  32. David Avatar
    David

    Click on the popup quick note to blogmaster.

  33. GP Avatar
    GP

    ddd
    re Why can’t you be like this ALL of the time?

    I AM LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME ——EXCEPT ON BU
    EVERYWHERE ELSE I AM VERY HIGHLY RESPECTED. AND THERE I ALWAYS GIVE MY VERY BEST AND SHARE NUGGETS OF TRUTH
    BUT I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO CAST MY PEARLS FOR THOSE WHO SEEK TO PULL ME DOWN WHEN I AM RIGHT.

  34. David Avatar
    David

    We have heard it before, let us hope it is realized in the near future.

    https://starcomnetwork.net/blog/2022/08/29/terminal-to-slash-food-bill-by-tens-of-millions/

  35. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @ David August 29, 2022 7:33 PM

    Our only hope is the return of the indigenous masses from university to their ancestral workplace on the plantation. We have seemingly 200,000 academics, but no more farmers. This must change!

    I therefore support the government initiative to assist Barbadians to migrate as farmers.

  36. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/08/30/bteditorial-embracing-the-chinese/

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @Wily

    Why would China’s motivation be any different than the other (traditional) hegemonists?

  38. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “Why would China’s motivation be any different than the other (traditional) hegemonists?”

    They are not white supremacists is the most obvious answer
    They help Third World Developing World Develop
    West go to Racial War to Rob and Kill people of colour
    They call it Business As Usual for the Military Industrial Complex

  39. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    The Chinese are doing what they believe is in their interest. The USA , to all intents and purposes, discarded us after the collapse of the USSR. Apparently, they did not see China coming.

    Now they are back, acknowledging their “neglect” and promising all manner of support. But not as much as China.

    They may not attach themselves to our state properties but they suck our blood just as well.

    It is up to us to be wary of BOTH OF THEM and act in OUR own interest. We in the Caribbean can continue to be INSULAR and fall easy prey to the hegemonists or we can join forces and, to some degree, INSULATE ourselves together.

    Our choice.

  40. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    David,

    Did you see the BT article about our cotton “industry”?

    Pathetic.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    Yes. We have not recovered from CARSICOT days. We are so far behind it is not funny.

    You maybe aware Louis Farrakhan has been advising the black nation to grow and control the cotton industry for years. It is a raw heavily material we depend and consume. Why not control it.

  42. John2 Avatar
    John2

    Bushie

    In the late 90s / early 20xx BWA had a dedicated Team that used to go around at night to check/ test the mains for leakage

    The meters would also help

    Under OA they had started a main remplacer program

    Desal plant would service mainly West coast – mains Down that Highway Were replaced . I Think tiwn Were repaced also – i Think i remember Reading about fontabelle and roebuck street .

    South coast outfall was place where currents Will take effluent away from Island . From the time it comes Out the pipe and nix with the sea water it is already being diluted. So do expect to see any shit from tha outfall coming back onshore

    @ John.

    How much water Can those Ponds hold?
    We Would need the water pumped up Hill to start the filtration process at the end if rainy season and during dry season. There is no need for extra water during the w’et season.

    There is a more consistent flow of water from the sewage plants. The Over 1m gpd
    At the bridgetown (secondary treatmeant) would be more suitable for reuse

  43. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    @David

    “Why would China’s motivation be any different than the other (traditional) hegemonists?”world

    Obviously your wearing racing horse blinkers. The large western democratic lenders usually extend some foregiveness compassion to third world borrowers, the yellow giant however extracts repayments if not $ then property assets or long term lease agreements. Welcome to modern day SLAVERY.

  44. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    @David

    China is the same country that dictates their people to own their own home enslave several family future generations to pay off the mortgage. This is typically 2 to 4 generations, ie 50 to 100 years. By the time great grandkids inherit the property the shattle is do for demolition.

  45. David Avatar
    David

    @Wily

    How do traditional western democratic extend forgiveness? Do you mean they lend MORE money, CREATE more debt?

  46. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @ Wily Coyote August 30, 2022 9:56 AM

    In the past, slavery was something coercive. Today it is based on voluntariness.

  47. John Avatar
    John

    John2August 30, 2022 8:45 AM

    @ John.

    How much water Can those Ponds hold?
    We Would need the water pumped up Hill to start the filtration process at the end if rainy season and during dry season. There is no need for extra water during the w’et season.

    There is a more consistent flow of water from the sewage plants. The Over 1m gpd
    At the bridgetown (secondary treatmeant) would be more suitable for reuse

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Water in a surface pond evaporates. Last place on earth a water scarce country should put its water!!

    It takes months for water at the highest elevation to find its way undeground to sea level. Need to keep the process going 24/7/365 The springs in the hills run 24/7 in most cases and in most years so there will be a constant flow of water into Long Pond and Green Pond.

    Doesn’t matter if the flow varies

    These two ponds should be used as a cache where water flows in and out 24/7.

    Size is irrelevant.

    In times of heavy rain and runoff there is no way of storing the water, it will just flow through the pond to the sea,

    Regarding the swage plants, treat the water to some acceptable level, not necessarily tertiary, and pump it up to the top of the CH CH Dome and get it underground where it will percolate into the Sheet water area under the Valley and ultimately find its way to the sea via the Belle or Hampton.

    What that does is it immediately increases the design yield of these stations and extra pumps can be added.

    Same principle as the proposal for the Scotland District water.

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