Forward thinker: I like your idea of forming a Car Wash Mall Cooperative where the vendors could pool their resources to pay for clean water/electrici ty to keep down their operating cost. The main issue I have with the guy ply their trade at country pond, is that they don’t seem to realize that they are actually running a business. With regards the watering of the ARG, why can’t the people run that facility dig a well onsite, so that they can have an adequate water supply to water the field? The well water might not be potable, but it would be cleaner than Country pond water that contains fecal matter.

Why do these people think they are entitled to 'free' water or a water truck at a 'small' fee? Who told them government is responsible for them? And why is government trying so hard to prove them right?

I can't give a definitive solution, but because Country Pond has now become surrounded by urban development that includes many multi-story buildings up the flood plain that feeds what was once a natural watercourse, I was looking upstream.
My guess is that few to none of these structures are using anything other than a domestic septic systems. Maybe that should change for the benefit of all.
From what I have seen, Mr. Michael and the CBH staff are quite capable of developing an updated interim policy for our unsustainable urban growth until we have a proper sewage system.

I completely agree but one question is this water (with its high level of manure, sorry feces) a benefit to the g**/turf at the Antigua and Barbuda Recreation Grounds? I really would like to know, sincere question. And again, looking at the core of the problem as you stated and fixing it, is something i completely agree with.

I agree with all coments calling for a stop to using Country Pond water for car washing, but to me this is at best a 'band-aid' solution. One could argue we have what amounts to an open cesspool in St. John's where the overflow makes it's way through the heart of town via Tanner Street. I also recall Country Pond being used to irrigate new turf at the ARG with water cannon sprinklers. Yuck!
The threat to our public health and safety extends much further than mere car washing and I hope that appropriate action is taken to mitigate the sources of the pollutants, otherwise we are just treating a symptom and not the root cause.

in my opinion, the ideal solution to this problem would be to develope an area that is equally as central in location as country pond is now, and set it up in a way that each of these guys can have a booth with running water supplied by a feed from APUA. Each booth can have a small hut where they can store their supplies, and maybe a shade to park customers cars under while they clean it.
set prices for various services so that the only thing that would differ between them would be the quality of work done. have one location where customers can pay, and from that, at the end of each day, each person working there will collect his money, and a cut from that will go back to the complex to cover running costs. you could even set this up in a way that the water used is collected, filtered, and reused in some way.
if its $40 for a inside & out wash, then $30 to the washman, and $10 to the house.

my way of helping I recall those days too but for me when arriving home my mom would force me to bathe with carbolic soap and scold me for playing with fire.

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Your friend took precaution and he is not directly in it, so I understand what you are saying they are directly in it, with no form of protection. My friends and I were talking about about the old days when people would catch worms from walking barefoot, ringworms from playing in dirty water. I think hepatitis can be caught this way too? ( my brother is working can't ask yet).

They must immediately stop, God knows what silent killer has already been spread since years ago, that may decrease the population life spans (or because of this what new bacteria, fungus, virus evolved too). I still want to say, not just to punish the men to deter use but the government should facilitate their change to something much safer. A government should always try to do everything, even thou they can't do everything, we as people should too. Because we know we can't do everything doesn't give us the right to not try and do everything (my way of helping, 2011).

If no one is willing to get their cars washed with feces infected water what would they wash? While am appalled that they see no problem using the water I am equally appalled that persons don’t mind their cars being washed with this water, and even more appalled that the ministry of health don’t see the need to demand that the water not be used. If persons don’t care about their own health, them the health of the population at large should be taking in to consideration

steadyj its like we create our own reality

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Amazing, only in Antigua.

my way of helping today I observed a friend as he pumped my septic. He wore gloves and took other precautions. Now you have these guys at country pond in away doing the same thing without caution. I heard that a caller to one of the talk shows rightly suggest that before they say everything is good with them health wise they need to go to a doctor and do the proper checks. I see no reason for them to continue playing with fire when there are many less costly health wise options.

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They should desist from using the pond but from my experience with some of the people there, the government should CONSIDER helping/facilit ating the country pond workers because of status. However, someone is saying there might be illegal drugs being sold there, then investigate and if true penalize the criminal. But we should not say we are not helping because of SPECULATIONS but look at the obvious facts (some of the men were bums and convicts and even one may truly want to go on the right path). The fee for use MAY be applied, but make it reasonable. Perhaps, the car wash could be used as a convict rehabilitation or reintroduction to society tool (contrivance; systematically turn them into productive citizens ) use by the government. I remember seeing a convict with ankle monitor bracelet washing my car in my state and I thought, wow, good idea.

it may even turn into a financial resource for the country, and as i listed before, a lot of social impact (status of car washer should be observed). But for now can you please get out of the feces please, you can catch many things if you play around in dudu.

its really liek the blind leading the blind in Antigua. We won't stop them, but if they continue using the water the publics health may be affected. What a bunch of idiots!!!!!

It's rather amazing that people who don't contribute to the tax revenue of this country are DEMANDING of government to provide options for them. I am now wondering what those who contribute to the tax revenue can DEMAND from government.

Tenman, without the hard evidence I don’t want to cast any aspersion but you hit the nail on the head, it’s been sort speculated and even rumored that the car washing is just a side job the real revenue earner is underground so to speak.

Cool Ruler honestly I am starting to wonder if the only business done there is that of washing cars. Its the only thing that would make sense because I can't see any sensible person with so many options still going there to simply get their cars washed.

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The persons who ply their trades at Country is conducting a business which people pay handsomely for. There are many other car washing business around the island and I assume they are responsible for getting and paying for their own water. Why should the users of Country Pond be any different?? They have used the water for many years and if it is not clean then the onus is on them to find a solution and not look to Government for help. Hey!! since its a free for all, perhaps the farmers should complain too.
By the way do these car washers pay taxes??

My car was washed at country pond last week and it was done very well and still remain very clean on the outside.

Does the phrase Prevension is better then a cure ring a bell???
How can you, as the chief health inspector, still allow these guys to continue to use the water, after you've listed the health dangers that they face by using it!!?!?
if you don't put a stop to it, and they continue to use it, what happens when these individuals get sick and then have to be treated at the hospital???we the tax payers have to pay for that health care!! the cost of barracading that pond, i'm sure, would be less then the cost of the treatment they will have to get if they fall ill!?!?
Some of these car wash guys are making alot of money, some even $500 a day!!
Let them pay the full cost of running their buisness, not jus a portion of it!?!? you think any of them contributing to Medical Ben, Social Security, or Education??? NO!!! Not one cent!!!! So why do we need to cover part of the cost for a water truck???
Ya'll can't be seriously concidering this!!

Perhaps Mr. Micheal has spent too much time with politicians I find the delay strange especially when he then contradicts it by saying "they are still not responding positively to the news, but we have to do what we have to do where public health is concerned.”

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Business has noticeable slowed? Am shocked that there is still business and persons are still willing to take their cars there to be washed.