The water quality survey Belco has carried out within the vicinity of their power plant has never included 8 Berkeley Road. As you are aware, my home is indeed within the proximity of Belco’s power plant.  It would be interesting to know how many homes for which those tests were conducted, whether the test considered sediment at the bottom of the tank as well as the distance such soot must travel “as it settles”.  While as you state your survey concluded that previous test did not represent a health risk, from the pictures I have seen, which Belco have in their possession dating back years from homes across the Pembroke area and specifically homes on Berkeley Road, it’s unconscionable. Taking into consideration the volume of sediment/oil found on our rooves that Belco would state neither nor ever have considered for the overall safety/health and wellbeing to all residents affected a water filtration system in an effort to mitigate this contamination problem. Would anyone at Belco be comfortable consuming their water with that level of toxicity draining into their tanks? I highly doubt it! I could understand if I were coming to Belco as a concerned resident from Somerset, St. George or homes outside of the immediate contamination zone; my house resides on Berkeley Road where a lot of this soot contamination is taking place!!!

The events of Saturday, June 20, 2020, while as you state are an exceptional event, it was these same deposits which have covered 100% of my roof long before this date. Hence, the reason I reached out to Belco in regards for compensation, only to be told that despite soot deposits clearly visible on my roof that I didn’t qualify for “ANY” compensation as it relates to Belco’s existing coverage zone.  However, you honoured my previous request for which I am thankful, but you also informed me that it would only be this one time, which I find unacceptable.

While it is Belco’s position that June 20, 2020, was an exceptional event, it clearly was cause for concern from Belco’s perspective in light of Belco offering to clean rooves, tank's, cars, etc. with regard to the damage these soot deposits caused. I would highly doubt that Belco’s offering to compensate as a result of these events was only made as a goodwill gesture; therefore, it's clear that the June 20, 2020 incident was a significant source of contamination as the soot literally burned paint from cars as it settled.  One can only imagine what it must be doing to our rooftops then passed through to our tanks, considering we catch and consume all water through our rooftops.  This is a significant source of concern to my health and warrants if for no other reason, a water filtration system which will help to mitigate with the ease of mind to the property owner.  At “least” with all this contamination to our rooftops, our water can be cleansed and purified before it reaches the faucet. Notwithstanding the fact that Belco would not even consider it in light of the enormous cost to repaint my roof and clean my tank and not utilize that same cost to purchase a water filtration system for which I have asked is disingenuous, to say the least.  May I also mention that it is Belco who placed an advertisement in the Royal Gazette dated June 24, 2020, which states, and I quote, "Belco will undertake to quickly do EVERYTHING we can to mitigate the impact to the surrounding environment as it relates to the June 20, 2020 event”, ironically mentioned, “householders in the Berkeley Hill area”. I have taken it upon myself to visit neighbours “in the Berkeley Hill area” and was appalled by what I saw and the share magnitude of soot and oil problems landing on residents rooves. I have also taken note of Belco’s carefully worded statement that “such occurrences SHOULD not occur in the future” which speaks to the fact that it WILL occur in the future and has been happening since the inception of those smokestacks.

 Because we now have three smokestacks, undoubtedly this has exacerbated the overall contamination problem. While I have been informed that this new smokestack is supposed to be burning cleaner fuel “propane” and has the ability to do both, in light of propane’s explosive properties this new smokestack is indeed still burning crude/diesel, which makes the contamination problem no less than the first two. It is my understanding, however, if it is Belco's position that it is not and I stand to be corrected; however, as a property owner, these concerns must be addressed.

If indeed this is Belco’s final stance in this matter “or not” as it relates to my concerns and suggestion, please inform your superiors that I will be proceeding with the following:

 

·       I have brought this to the attention of the environment minister so he can be brought up to speed with my concerns and any suggestions he may have as I look for clarity and resolution in this matter for all homes affected. I have contacted my representative from that department, and something is going on because of the many complaints currently being received as I am sure Belco is aware.

 

·       I will be canvassing the neighbourhood collecting signatures and partitioning on behalf of all interested parties whose homes clearly sit in the line of fire and whose rooves have soot deposits, mainly where those deposits cover 100% of the said roof and currently have no coverage as it relates to Belco’s existing coverage zone.

 

·       Considering the volume of contamination coming from all three smokestacks, we will be asking that Belco reevaluate their current positions regarding who gets coverage and who does not, as well as the percentage of coverage allowed, which must be based on the percentage soot deposit covering the respective rooftops. While it is Belco's position that they have studied the wind, which changes direction frequently, they should focus there OHSE teams’ efforts on studying rooftops.

 

·       While it is also clear that some homeowners currently benefit from having their rooves cleaned regularly and some do not, my concern is between cleaning and decontamination, which in most cases is two years apart. It is between this period for which our rooftops receive constant deposits; surely, this must be a source of contamination to our drinking water supply. Hence, we will also be asking that a water filtration system be placed at Belco's expense and that they also be responsible for the filters required on a semi-annually basis, as well as regular roof and tank cleaning which must be based on the frequency of soot deposits. We will also be asking that tank cleaning must be accompanied with a thorough decontamination of all water pipes from the roof through to faucet during tank cleaning, despite any water samples that might come back showing negative results, as I am aware that there are water samples currently being collected. I would hope those samples have taken into consideration sediment at the bottom of the tank to assure a full and none bias approach in determining the quality and purity of our drinking water. Please also note that while Belco has offered as a result of recent events to mitigate the impact to the surrounding areas, it does nothing to address my concern for full coverage regularly to my roof/tank and a water purification solution because I am no longer comfortable consuming my tank water. I did not contribute to that source of contamination, and I see no reason why I should have to fit the bill.

 

There is a meeting that the premier will be having on August 8, 2020 at West Pembroke School, hence if Belco shares the neighbourhood's concern, I implore Belco to have a representative there as we will be bringing these concerns to the table.

Unfortunately, I must take these necessary steps to mitigate myself and others concerns; however, while Belco may have supporting cause to exclude those impacted from any compensation when there is clear evidence to support such claims is disingenuous. All over the world fossil fuels are a leading cause of concern to people’s wellbeing and overall health. While many countries are moving towards cleaner alternatives to power their plants, Belco still relies on these outdated dangerous methods. Hence if Belco is in the business of providing energy which results in pollution, they should also be in the business of cleaning it up and to assure that “ALL” who are directly impacted are provided with the necessary coverage required.