Liquid waste/excreta disposal was the number one nuisance complaint received by the Environmental Health Division in 2010 and 1011. Photo: piyasroy.wordpress.com

According to the Environmental Health Division reports for 2010 and 2011, 109 nuisance complaints were received by the Division in 2011 compared to 122 in 2010. 42 of these complaints in 2011 were related to liquid waste and excreta disposal and represented the largest category of complaints in that year. 32 such reports were received in 2010.

41 of these complaints in the liquid waste excreta bracket were reportedly investigated and 17 remedied. In 2010, 15 of 32 such complaints were investigated and 7 remedied.

Of the total 109 nuisance complaints received in 2011, 81 were investigated and 35 remedied while in 2010, 67 nuisance complaints were investigated and 43 remedied.

The Division said Liquid and excreta disposal has been the most common complaint investigated for years and still continues to be for the period under review. This, it said, is due to many issues involving unmonitored and uncontrolled development; and to a greater extent, poorly designed septic systems, the common phenomenon of developers exceeding their property density, and poor soil types through which a desirable percolation rate for waste water is extremely difficult to achieve.

According to the Division, to obtain any desirable reduction in wastewater related problems, which pose immense risk to public health, would require bold initiatives starting with strict enforcement of legislation that prevents exhaustion of land density.