The University is surprised at the statement that it discharges raw sewage into drains. The UWI, Mona Campus Sewage Treatment Plant located at the intersection of Hermitage and Escarpment Roads in Hermitage processes approximately 400,000 gallons of sewage daily from the University and the University Hospital.

Treatment at the facility aims at meeting the standard for Sewage Plant effluent set by the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA).

The plant is a Secondary Treatment Plant. This means that the raw sewage passes through a number of processes before the effluent is discharged in the environment. This is in contrast to the Primary Treatment Plant where only one process occurs. Presently the treatment process at the UWI Plant entails:
1. Sedimentation in grit channel and clarifier
2. Secondary, biological treatment through Trickling Filters
3. Partial Anaerobic treatment of sludge (solids)
4. Drying of sludge
5. Disinfection of final effluent.

At no time has the University discharged raw sewage in any open drain, what is discharged in the drain is the final treated effluent from the plant, which poses no health hazard.