The authorities are hopeful that with a move to a cleaner operation in the method of extracting build-up in drainage wells, owners of private property will permit drilling of such wells on their land.
Minister of Communication, Works and Infrastructure Hon Arden McLean told the Legislative Assembly that the National Roads Authority’s recent acquisition of a truck that extracts sediment build-up in wells by vacuum suction ensures that the extracted deposit does not leave the surroundings messy.
“The truck actually leaves nothing on site,” Minister McLean told the Finance Committee of the Legislative Assembly on 25 May. He explained that the truck has a capacity to hold 36,000 gallons of sludge, so there should be no fear of it being unable to extract all the contents of any drainage well.
Mr McLean was at the time responding to questions in the committee, which was examining his ministry’s proposed expenditure in the 2007/08 Budget. Finance Committee approved the appropriations, and approval for this ministry along with those of the other ministries and portfolios will be sent up to the House to be passed into law effective 1 July.
“The problem is that our drainage wells are inadequate,” Mr McLean said as he explained government’s progress in countering flood problems on Grand Cayman.
Prior to acquisition of the vacuum truck, a reverse method was used for extracting sediment. Compressed air from another truck was used to blow out the wells.
It was pointed out in the House that property owners were reluctant to permit drilling of wells on their land because the compressed air method left the sediment strewn on their holdings.
Pointing to the success of the vacuum truck, the Minister observed that there has been less flooding in George Town during the current rains owing to the efficiency of the vehicle.
An incidental discovery by NRA employees stemming from application of this vehicle for drainage well sediment extraction was that many wells on developments were not dug to the depth specified in the planning permit.
“Some of the developers do a little cheating in which they do not dig the well as deep as they are supposed to go, hence the flooding,” Mr McLean said.
He said some wells were found to be only 10 to 20 feet deep. Wells are usually supposed to be a minimum 100 feet deep, except in unusual circumstances.
Mr McLean said that the NRA is now physically measuring drainage wells to ensure compliance, and errant developers will have to dig to the required depth.
