New pipes in line for Duncans

Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

DUNCANS, Trelawny:

An end is in sight for at least a section of the perennial problem of broken pipes in Duncans, Trelawny. The section to be addressed is from the town's square to Crawle. This is spurred by the rehabilitation to be done on that roadway and the need to ensure that this will not have to be dug up after or eroded by leaking water coming from the pipes.

New councillor for the division, Donovan White, is reporting: " It will be done shortly as it is also preventing the road repair which is to be done as this road is slated for repair under the JDIP programme." He, however, did not pinpoint a time but added that it is with the Ministry of Water and Housing to be done.

He revealed, though, that it will not be for the entire Duncans area, but only the area mentioned above. He is aware of the problem with the pipes, being a long-standing resident of the area, the son of deceased councillor Errol White.

The pipes in the area were laid in the early 1970s and are primarily made of asbestos, but this kind of pipe is not currently being used. The asbestos itself is not the problem but the joining which is mainly responsible for the leaks.

A knowledgeable source is informing that asbestos poses no health danger if used in this way; therefore it is not a risk for the consumers. The source added, however, that it is the breathing in of the asbestos that is harmful and therefore endangers the health of men working with it.