The Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) Inc. wishes to issue a strong caution to the public against tampering with manholes at specific locations around the city and its outskirts.
The warning comes in the wake of complaints reaching WASCO officials suggesting that individuals who access water from WASCO manholes, for the purpose of washing vehicles, are leaving them uncovered.
The latest reports point to a manhole on Chaussee Road in Castries near Philgence Trucking, and another in the Odsan community opposite the primary school entrance next to the speed bump.
WASCO wishes to advise the public that in addition to the legal ramifications associated with tampering with company infrastructure, exposing manholes creates a serious safety hazard for unsuspecting pedestrians and motorists. WASCO implores those responsible for creating the hazard to desist from the practice of uncovering manholes as there are penalties associated with it. Section 90 of the Water and Sewerage Act (c) states that a person shall not willfully remove or tamper with any gauge, meter, measuring instrument, level, mark, or any appliance forming part of the water works. It adds that a person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is upon summary conviction, liable to a fine of not less than $3000, or imprisonment of a term not less than six months, or both, and to a further fine of not less than $50 for each day the offence continues.
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