Wata Land operators say competitors spreading false illness reports

SHANICE WATSON, STAR Writer

Word has been spreading that a popular water park has been causing scores of patrons to become ill. However, the park's manager claims this might be an attempt at sabotage by competitors.

The facility in question is Wata Land, located in Industry, between St Ann and St Mary. The park houses various water slides, a lake, inflatable aqua park and other attractions.

THE STAR received reports that an entire group became afflicted with various ailments, including gastroenteritis and ringworm, after going into the water at the park last month.

Our news team also uncovered a plethora of reviews on various travel guide sites, as well as the park's Facebook page, in which disgruntled patrons claimed they got ill after visiting the park.

One review read, "Went on Sunday, August 31, 2015 with my four kids, and they all got sick with gastroenteritis. I did not get ill because I did not go into the water. Worst experience for my kids."

Other persons claimed the park was filthy and needed to be closed on occasions to facilitate cleaning.

However, Gobind Dansinghani, managing director of Wata Land, admitted that during the early stages, they did not have a rigid cleaning schedule and this caused a scum build up. However, he noted that since July 2015, the facility has been closed every Monday to facilitate cleaning on the advice of the Ministry of Health.

Unaware

Dansinghani maintains that he is unaware of anyone who got ill as a result of visiting the park, but said he is aware of some negative reviews.

"A lot of people have been telling us that there seems to be a move to defame us. We took off rapidly from we started. Maybe our competition is behind it," he said.

He also added that if persons believe they got ill as a direct result of visiting the park, they should report it to the Ministry of Health.

However, the ministry seems to be on top of things, as Dr Sansan Win, chief medical officer of health in St Mary, said, "We are monitoring them [Wata Land] very closely, as we do with any facility which is under our domain, but we have not seen anything irregular or that is cause for concern."

She also added that Wata Land's water quality is good, but said the ministry will pay closer attention to the park in light of the recent reports received by THE STAR.