“Callous” contractor’s action floods homes at Glasgow Housing Scheme

– citizens should not have to endure this kind of abuse and negligence, says Mayor McIntosh

Several households in the Glasgow New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were left waterlogged and distressed after flooding inundated yards and lower sections of homes, following what residents and city officials say was the careless disposal of construction waste into the community’s drainage system by a road-building contractor.
Photographs taken at the scene show murky floodwaters pooling across concrete yards and walkways, stretching from house entrances to boundary fences. In some areas, stagnant water surrounds homes, partially submerging grass, household items, and outdoor structures, while muddy run-off collects along low-lying sections of the property.

The flooding left residents unable to properly access parts of their yards and raised concerns about sanitation and health risks.
One affected resident, Leroy Taylor, said the flooding persisted for days after drains became clogged with concrete residue washed from construction trucks.
“Every time they wash the truck, they throw the waste in the trench. That’s what block up the tubing. It’s two days now we been in water. The whole block flood out,” Taylor explained.
Taylor said water entered the lower level of his home, forcing his family to move belongings upstairs in an effort to prevent further damage.
“Downstairs flat got wet. We had to move the fridge and things. My son and daughter’s clothes get wet, everything mess up,” he said.
In some instances, water stood inches deep near house foundations, with debris, grass, and construction residue visible beneath the surface. In one yard, floodwater stretches from the entrance gate straight into the living area, reflecting nearby buildings and highlighting how trapped the water became once drainage was blocked.
According to Taylor, the issue stems from repeated dumping of leftover cement and aggregate into nearby drains after construction work.
“When they finish throwing concrete, they wash out the truck and dump the rest in the trench. It hardens and seals the mouth of the pipe. We warned them already, but they still do it,” he explained.
Residents were eventually forced to clear parts of the blocked culvert themselves, using tools and manual labour to restore some flow. However, Taylor said the situation remains uncertain if heavy rainfall returns.
“We clean it out ourselves, but if more rain falls, I can’t guarantee what will happen,” he said.
Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, visited the affected area after receiving reports from residents and described the situation as unacceptable and avoidable.

“This is pretty much callous behaviour,” the Mayor said.
“The contractor decided to wash the truck and dump waste materials into the drainage network during a period of heavy rainfall, and residents ended up flooding on Christmas Day,” Mayor McIntosh added while pointing to visible stones, cement residue, and debris lodged in drains and scattered along the roadside, noting that such actions damage infrastructure and create serious drainage failures.
“Citizens should not have to endure this. This is an abuse of privilege. The contractor is home while residents are left to deal with water in their yards,” McIntosh said.
During his visit, the Mayor observed waterlogged yards, blocked culverts, and pooled water stretching across multiple properties. In some sections, floodwater remained trapped behind obstructed pipes, requiring manual clearing before it could begin to recede.

“All of this stone and waste being washed into the drainage system is unacceptable. The drainage network is not a dumping ground,” he stressed.
Mayor McIntosh appealed to contractors operating within New Amsterdam to exercise responsibility when carrying out road works, particularly when handling concrete and construction waste.
“Be mindful. Be considerate. Think about the technical consequences of how you dispose of waste materials,” he urged.
The Mayor warned that improper disposal not only damages infrastructure but also exposes residents to unsanitary conditions, stagnant water, and potential health hazards.
The Mayor also indicated that efforts would be made to identify the contractor responsible and ensure greater oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Residents of the Glasgow New Housing Scheme say they hope the incident leads to stronger enforcement, as flooding continues to pose a serious threat to homes whenever drains are obstructed.