concerns regarding ocean dumping.

During a recent speech to Hamilton Lions, Tim Marshall, chairman of the National Trust's Environmental Committee, called for an end to the dumping of raw sewage into the ocean.

"Presently, many major hotels, indeed the Corporation of Hamilton, dump thousands of tons of raw waste into the ocean,'' he explained. "Technology exists today allows such sewage to be reconstituted into non-polluting substances, including volumes of water that can be reused for a variety of purposes.

"Bermuda should set a realistic deadline to end the dumping of raw sewage into our oceans.'' Mr. Marshall noted there were a number of private companies that were leading the way but he said Government also needed to set the pace.

Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt told The Royal Gazette that the City was very aware of the need to protect the environment.

"We have conducted a major study on the sewer system and the ocean,'' he explained. "The Biological Station has conducted tests and their initial reports have been very good.'' He said the Corporation was committed to setting up, over the next five years, a primary treatment facility which will remove items like plastics from the sewage.

The new station will be built alongside the existing station, next to Number 7 shed.

"It will cost around $6 million and we hope to do it in about three years.'' Mr. Sherratt said discussions were underway with the Water Authority regarding a secondary treatment centre.

"It would be a major undertaking,'' he said. "It will require the building of a treatment centre in Paget. It could cost anywhere between $15 to $20 million.'' In the meantime, Mr. Sherratt said the Corporation needed to keep an eye on the out-fall area to ensure its preservation.

Currently sewage passes out from a 750 metre pipe into the sea off South Shore.

"The Corporation feels the need to monitor the outfall area to see if any damage has been done.'' Mr. Sherratt also admitted that the foul odour that occasionally permeates the city streets may be the result of the sewer system that runs through the city.

"Sometimes old buildings have old plumbing with holes in it,'' he said. "It can on occasion have a smell.'' And he said if manhole covers' seals loosened, odours could emanate.

Roger Sherratt