Harbour View Sewage Treatment Plant, gullies contributing to increase in mosquitoes - Swaby

Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby says the Harbour View Sewage Treatment Plant is a "major concern" as the municipality grapples with a significant increase in mosquitoes following Hurricane Beryl.

"It needs to be looked at, because that's a big breeding site and it has to be dealt with," Swaby said.

Swaby was speaking on Tuesday following a meeting with representatives of the Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department.

Swaby said the department highlighted a number of issues contributing to the mosquito problem.

"They have highlighted our gullies, that in these gullies and the base of the gullies there are a lot of breakaways and we had left water in these breakaways and these are possible breeding sites," Swaby said.

He said the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, the National Works Agency, the National Water Commission and the National Solid Waste Management Authority will have to collaborate to address the issues.

Swaby said the health department has indicated it has increased its fogging in the Corporate Area.

However, he stressed personal responsibility in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.

"Each resident, each citizen has a personal responsibility. Look around your yard space, make sure there are no possible breeding site," 

He said the health department is planning a 'Mosquito Day' for August 20, which it will use to educate persons on eradicating breeding sites.

He said several activities are planned for the day in Cross Roads, St Andrew.

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