Barbados Water Authority - Booklet from the Wastewater Division

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Contact Us

Barbados Water Authority

Barbados Water Authority Wastewater Division

Wastewater Division

Bridgetown Sewage Treatment Plant Lakes Folly, Bridgetown, St Michael Tel. No.: (246) 434-4200 Ext. 4600-03/09 South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant Harmony Hall, Christ Church Tel. No. : (246) 434-4200 Ext. 4623-26/28 Email: Fax No.: (246) 430-0654 Sewer Foreman: Ext. 836-4654 Construction Inspector: 836-4737 Industrial Waste Inspector: 836-4657

“Choose Water First” Compiled by Patricia Inniss Consultant—Wastewater Management

Information Booklet 

Barbados Sewerage System

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Sewer Connection Facts

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Stopping Illegal and Improper Dumping

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Fighting Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG)

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Grease Trap Maintenance

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Check List for Applicants (sewer connections)

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Compliance, Enforcement Policy and Procedures Download your PDF version now from: www.http://barbadoswaterauthority.com

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BACKGROUND Bridgetown Sewage Treatment Plant (BSTP) The Bridgetown Sewage Treatment Plant (BSTP), which was opened in August 1982, is located in Lakes Folly, St Michael.

The Authority encourages all to fight against illegal and indiscriminate dumping.

It treats wastewater from the Bridgetown sewered districts to secondary treatment level, after which it is discharged off Trevor’s Way.

Barbados Water Authority Act CAP. 274A 1985 The Authority, its employees and agents may for the purpose of the Authority, at any time that is reasonable in the circumstances, enter into any premises or into any road and make such surveys, examinations, investigations, inspections or other arrangements as it considers necessary. Section 13

There are four (4) Lift Stations connected to the Bridgetown System which provides sewage treatment to approximately 2,000 customers.

Offence A person who hinders or obstructs an employee or agent of the Authority in the performance of his functions under this Part is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1 000 or imprisonment for 12 months. Section 18

South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant (SCSTP) The South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant (SCSTP) is located in Harmony Hall, Christ Church and was commissioned in 2003.

The plant receives sewage from the South Coast sewered districts, which run from the south edge of Bridgetown to Oistins.

Waste received at this facility is filtered before it is discharged off Needham’s Point.

There are five (5) Lift Stations connected to the South Coast system which provides sewage treatment to approximately 3 000 customers.

Penalty Any person who contravenes any of these regulations is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1 000 or imprisonment for 12 months or both; and in the case of a continuing offence to a further fine of $100 for each day or part thereof during which the offence continues after a conviction is first obtained.

Barbados Water Authority (Sewerage) Regulations, 1982, Regulations 35.

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ITEMS TO BE DISPOSED OF Waste Oil -in bulk (automotive, engine, motor, cooking, etc.)

Blood, Grease, Waste Oil , Grease Traps waste Tyres, Garbage Asbestos -

Organic waste from wells Drink Bottles (glass and PET) Drink Bottles (glass and PET), Plastic and Glass Bottles, Cans, Cardboard Boxes Household, Organic and Construction Waste Appliances All Metal (ferrous and non ferrous) Automotive Batteries All metal (ferrous and non ferrous) Non ferrous Metals (including aluminum cans) Automotive Batteries Cardboard Boxes Paper (books,newspaper, directories, etc.)

Newspapaer All Paper Organic waste (manure, tree trimming, etc.)

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WHERE TO CARRY THEM Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd., St. Lucy 230-4467 Sanitation Services Authority (SSA) Lonesome Hill Site, St. Peter 422-8254 Mangrove Landfill, St. Thomas 419-7500/01 Rock Hall Disposal Site, St. Philip 416-3694 (Approval must be obtained from the Environmental Protection Department -EPD- prior to the removal and disposal of asbestos at Rock Hall by only EPD registered companies.)

Bridgetown Sewage Treatment Plant BWA – 434-4200 Ext. 4600 Supermarket Bottle Return Depots B’s Recycling, Cane Garden, St. Thomas 438-9285 Carlton Plaza, St. Michael SBRC (Sustainable B’dos Recycling Centre) Vaucluse, St. Thomas 425-2255 B’s Recycling, Cane Garden, St. Thomas

Scrap Man Recycling, Vaucluse, St. Thomas 271-5579 Recycling Preparations Inc., Warrens Ind. Park, St. Michael 425-2541 Ace Recycling, Guinea Plantation, St. John 423-0510 Earthworks Pottery, Edgehill Heights 2, St. Thomas 425-0223 Diceabed (B’dos) Ltd, 8 Gibbons Ch.Ch. 428-6874

Where Does Effluent Go? The discharge from both plants is known as effluent water and is pumped out to sea through long outfall pipes. The sludge generated from the Bridgetown Plant is trucked to Christ Church and spread over Spencer’s Plantation lands while the waste from the South Coast is collected and disposed of at Mangrove Pond landfill, the only approved site for disposal of solid waste from the plant.

SEWER CONNECTION FACTS All properties within the sewered districts of the plants are legally required to have all sources of wastewater within the premises, excluding rain or surface water, ( pipes leaving toilets, baths and sinks) connected to the public sewer and to have a properly constructed and designed GREASE TRAP connected to sinks where grease or any other noxious substance is used.

A Grease Trap should be cleaned as often as may be necessary to maintain it in a sanitary condition.

BWA (Sewerage) Regulations, 1982, Regulation 9 (6), (7) & (8).

Connecting to the Public Sewer System Persons making new or additional connections from their homes or businesses to the public sewer system are required to:  Inform officers at the Barbados Water Authority offices or

Treatment Plants.

 Collect a Check

connecting.

List and all other information relevant to

 Submit four (4) copies of the building plan, land plot and

isometric drawings.

 Submit a completed Application Form and pay an Application

Fee at BWA offices - Residential $120, Commercial $300

 Make any necessary changes to facilitate connection .  Prepare for inspections and connection.

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Payment for Sewage Treatment Owners/Occupants of properties connected to the sewerage system are required to pay a service fee of one third (1/3) of the water bill for domestic customers and two-third (2/3) of the water bill for commercial and institutional customers.

Barbados Water Authority (Water and Sewerage Rates) Regulations, 1982, Regulation 2

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STOPPING ILLEGAL AND IMPROPER DUMPING

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You can control what goes into the sewer system !!!

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Each benched concrete manhole shall carry a water-tight, air tight, cast iron (metal) frame and concrete or metal (preferred) cover that meets the BS 497 specification.

The entire drainage/plumbing system must be inspected and approved by the Barbados Water Authority before it is covered or pipe trenches backfilled.

The plumbing must comply with the Short Form Specification (attached) of the Barbados Water Authority Act (1985) Sewerage Regulation, 1982.

In cases where sewer pipes need to cross neighbouring property lines, written permission must be provided by the owner of the property (with proof of ownership) and submitted to the Authority.

It is recommended that applicants or their agent(s) shall familiarize themselves with the BNSI Barbados National Standards Institution) Plumbing Code.

Should you have any queries or concerns do not hesitate to contact us at: Bridgetown Sewage Treatment Plant, Lakes Folly, Bridgetown – Tel. 434-4200 ext. 4600 or 4624 South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant, Harmony Hall, Ch. Ch. – Tel. 434-4200 Ext.4624/5/6 or 418-0560/61

Under the law only sewage or regulated industrial waste should be put into the sewers.

No person shall empty into any public sewer any matter likely to damage the sewer, interfere with the free flow of its contents or to adversely affect the treatment and disposal of its contents.

BWA (Sewerage) Regulations, 1982, Regulation 8, 9 (1-5).

A lint separator should be installed to trap lint, hair and other materials discharged from hair dressing salons and laundry mats.

STOP !!! THINK BEFORE YOU PUT IT DOWN THE SINK OR INTO THE TOILET BOWL. Garbage in sewers

Wastewater Division

Short Form Specifications Barbados Water Authority Act (1985) Sewerage Regulation, 1982

Residential, Commercial and Institutional Properties Pipe Size (mm) Pipe Size (inches) Peal Flow (L/S) Maximum Hotel Beds 100 4” 2.45 80 150 6” 5.40 190 200 8” 10.00 370 250 10” 15.00 600 (25 mm @ 1 inch) N.B.*: The maximum hotel bed is based upon L/c/d for guest, 25 % for staff and restaurants and a 4.0 – 4.5 peaking factor.

Pipe Grade and Depth Most property connections will be laid at minimum grade to the point of connection to the sewer main. The depth of the service will be dictated by the grades in the existing plumbing and any interference from existing utilities and structures.

Most property connections will have a minimum cover at the junction box of 750 mm. Between the junction box and the connection point on the main sewer the connection depth might increase to avoid conflict with wall foundations, box drains, water mains, underground cables, etc.

The grades allowed for property connections are listed in the table below. The ‘objective’ slopes noted will be used for the majority of connections. The ‘minimum’ slope will be used only where a service connection, to a low property at the objective slope, would increase the depth of the main sewer.

PIPE TYPE – D3034 SEWER PIPE (Rubber Gasketed) below ground

Choked pumps

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BARBADOS WATER AUTHORITY GOVERNMENT OF BARBADOS PINE COMMERCIAL ESTATE, THE PINE, ST MICHAEL, BB11103, BARBADOS

TEL: (246) 434-4200 FAX: (246) 228-0155

Wastewater Division

Check List Items to Be Checked by New Applicant or Applicant Making Changes to Sewer Work BWA Act, CAP. 274A 1985

Please check your drawing/plans and other items to be submitted to the Customer Care Department of the BWA to ensure that you have given consideration to, and included the information as listed below.  A current and valid water bill (for applicants with water ser vice).

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Water Application No. (for applicants also applying for water ser vice).

A completed Sewer Application Form and four (4) copies of each of the following drawings: 1. Approved Site Plans of all building within the pr emises and the boundaries of the applicant’s land; 2. Approved Building Plan indicating Floor Plan; and 3. Approved Plumbing Drawings that show the location, size, slope of every ‘soil’ or waste pipe, trap and vent pipe and that adequately shows the layout of the drainage system of the building(s).

An Application Fee must be paid before work on the building sewer and drainage system is started.

1. $120.00 for Residential connection; or 2. $300.00 for Commercial connections.

No person shall begin work on a building sewer until plans have been approved by the General Manager of the Barbados Water Authority and one copy of the plans is returned to the applicant.

For applicants making Changes to Building Sewer – Four (4) copies of building plans must be submitted, indicating proposed extension, alteration or repairs and all fixtures and appurtenances to be disconnected or abandoned. .

For applicants making Changes to Building Sewer - No Application Fee is charged for sewer changes which feed into existing sewer connections.

All properties in the sewered districts should have properly constructed Grease Traps connected to sinks or trapped gully basins where grease or any other noxious substance is used.

A number of factors must be considered when designing a Grease Trap, including: Size and type of property.

Number of persons making use of the premises.

Volume of water expected to be used.

All Plumbing Fixtures shall be trapped and trapped as close as possible to the fixture.

Fixtures shall be adequately and individually vented, except those depending upon siphon action for their function.

Each drainage system shall be vented so that: a. There is no obstruction to the free osculation of air through the whole course of the building sewer or soil pipe; and B. A pressure of ± 1 inch of water shall be maintained in the drainage system at all times.

There shall be easily accessible Junction Boxes and Clean-Outs / Rodding Eyes (which are protected) at the upslope sides of each point wher e a dr ainage pipe changes direction by forty-five degrees or more (≥ 45O).

Remember the “3 Ps’ It is a Toilet, Not a Trash Can! Only Flush the 3Ps – Pee, Poo and (toilet) Paper.

Toss the following items in the trash. Never flush them or put them down the drain or in the garbage disposal.

Cotton wool Q-tips Dental floss Sanitary napkins Tampons Medicine Syringes & Needles Pampers, Condoms Razor blades Bottles Napkins & Wipes Paper towels Bandages,

Clothing & Rags Plastic bags Cleaning cloths, Mops Nail Polish Paint & Varnish Construction debris Engine Oil Corrosive liquids Chemical waste strong acids & bases Petroleum Engine oil

Construction debris in manhole

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Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) from cooking may appear harmless, but as the liquid cools in wastewater it solidifies and forms clogs and mats which cling to the insides of sewer lines and damage the sewerage system.

Trash and FOG causes sewers to become blocked , which result in:  BACK-UPS onto your property and possessions causing damage and costing time and money to be spent to clean, sanitize, deodorize and repair. 

Sewer OVERFLOWS occur on our roads and increase the presence of pest, bad odors, pollutants and the possibility of disease-causing organisms.

Most FOG is generated when you prepare meals. It comes from: Meats, Bacon, Sausages. Butters, Margarines, Shortenings when

cooking & baking.

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Pump out the solid

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Scrape and high-pressure wash the walls and floor.

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Pump out the wash water.

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Check the inlet and outlet compartments for damage.

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Fill Grease Trap with fresh water.

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Where necessary, a professional maintenance service should be hired to clean external Grease Traps as they have the necessary equipment and appropriately dispose of the solid and liquid waste.

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Mayonnaise in Salad Dressing, Gravies,

Soups, Syrups, Sauces, Batters.

Managers of food businesses should: Keep a Grease Trap Training Procedures and Maintenance Log Sheets posted near the Grease Trap to encourage employees to follow procedures and to document after each cleaning.

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Encourage and provide regular training, refresher courses and discussion on Grease Trap cleaning and provide staff with appropriate equipment.

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Post ‘No Grease’ and ‘No FOG’ signs near sinks, drains and dish washers to encourage proper disposal methods.

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Train staff on the location, purpose, function and importance and cleaning technique of the Grease Trap. They will be more willing to help if they understand the need to keep FOG out the sewers.

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Schedule Grease Trap cleaning outside of business hours and in well ventilated areas as Grease Traps tend to produce strong, unpleasant odors.

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If (company) Grease Trap cleaning is done by a professional service a (company ) representative should be present to observe.

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Records should be kept of invoices and procedures used.

Cooking Oils & Sprays when frying. Diary Products in Milk, Cheese, Shakes.

Cleaning External Grease Traps Pump out the grease mat.

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Cleaning Internal Grease Trap Melt ice in the sink before cleaning to cool the grease layer and make it easy to remove.

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Wear appropriate clothes, (rubber gloves and safety glasses).

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Remove the lid of Grease Trap with pry bar if it is heavy.

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If Grease Trap has removable parts (baffles) remove them with screw driver. Pay attention to how all parts fit to ensure proper reinstalling after cleaning.

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Examine the trap for damage which should be repaired after cleaning.

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Scoop out the FOG using a ladle, strainer or perforated cup and place in doubled heavy duty/ industrial strength trash bag in large trash can.

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Bail out the water using a scoop or small bucket.

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Remove and dispose of all solids from the bottom of the Grease Trap.

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Use a rubber scraper/putty knife to scrape clean the sides, lid and baffles of the Grease Trap and dispose of the SOLIDS.

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Replace the baffles and lid and return water to the Grease Trap.

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Clean the area, as need be.

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Write down the cleaning date and keep records for examination and on request.

Wipe clean and scrape food scraps from pots, pans, dishes and utensils and put the scraps in the garbage or recycling bin (near sink) before washing the items.

Do not put food scraps and cooking waste down your sink.

Put food scraps into the garbage or recycling bin (near sink).

Use strainers in sink drains and floor drains to collect food scraps and put them in the bin.

Allow liquid foods to cool and harden then place in the garbage or recycle bin.

Do not put food scraps and cooking waste into your floor drains.

Pour waste oils in secure, sealed containers (to avoid accidents and spills) and place them near sink to encourage recycling.

Wipe up waste oils and grease spills before using water.

External Grease Traps External Grease Traps or Grease Interceptors are much larger with more compartments. They are located outside and underground and should be cleaned regularly with a cleaning frequency determined.

Recycling companies collect clean waste cooking oil for free, but charge for contaminated oil.

Do not leave waste oils or grease lying around or pour them down your drain.

Do not wash oil spills down your drain.

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GREASE TRAP MAINTENANCE Grease Traps can be effective in controlling FOG build up in the sewer systems.

Make sure your Grease Trap is correctly built and properly installed.

Grease Traps are designed to slow down the water and allow contents to cool.

FOG (which float as a thick layer) and SOLIDS (which settle to the bottom) collect in the first chamber of the GREASE TRAP. With frequent cleaning the FOG and SOLIDS are removed and disposed in the trash before they enter the sewers.

It is the responsibility of officers of the BWA to help ensure that regulations related to the maintenance and upkeep of Grease Traps and other building sewers or fixtures are followed.

BWA (Sewerage) Regulations, 1982, Regulation 9 (8), 13 & 15.  Do not interfere or change a Grease Trap’s compartments to increase water flow or drainage. This may prevent the Grease Trap from working efficiently and increases plumbing costs if FOG cools in another area of your plumbing system.  NEVER continuously run hot water to ‘clear plumbing’ because the Grease Trap gets heated and the grease layer will liquefy and be flushed down the sewer. The grease will then cool later in another area of the system causing a FOG blockage and sewer Back Ups.

Internal Grease Traps  Internal Grease Traps are small enough to fit under the kitchen sink or in the floor.  Automated internal Grease Traps ‘skim off’ the FOG layer and place it in a Collect Pan which must be emptied regularly.

 For Grease Traps which are not automated, they should be inspected and cleaned regularly, the machinery kept clean and a cleaning frequency should be determined.

 Back-Ups, odors and drainage problems are signs that the Grease Trap is not being maintained or functioning as it should.

Rats in kitchen near Grease Trap

 Make sure your Grease Trap is easily accessible for maintenance and inspection.