Garwin Davis, Assistant News Editor
RESIDENTS IN sections of Ocho Rios are complaining of their water supply being contaminated, charging that widespread squatting in the watershed areas overlooking the town is to blame.
They say the problem has been worsened by the heavy downpour of rain over the past several days, noting that their water quality has been affected by human faeces and debris which had penetrated the National Water Commission's (NWC) entombment.
"Our water is undrinkable and unfit for human consumption," said Rachel Green, a resident of Beecher Town, a community just outside the town of Ocho Rios. "The water is just plain filthy... brown and giving off an odour. We reported the matter to the NWC and were told they had received similar complaints and were conducting tests."
The Sunday Gleaner understands that a private water supply company in the Shaw Park Ridge area, daily suppliers of water to sections of the Ocho Rios community, was forced to shut down its plant because of a similar problem.
"The underground water was contaminated by stuff that came down from the hills," one source notes. "People have been seeing all kind of objects in their water and I know in some cases where persons have got sick. In addition, marl that was left on the Beecher Town road by the NWC which had been carrying out work had also got into the water. The company, seeing what was happening, decided a few days ago to stop its operations... I don't know if it has since resumed."
Patrick Fletcher, regional manager for the NWC, confirmed that there was a problem with the water quality in the Shaw Park area but said his agency had corrected the problem. "It was slightly affected," he said. "Some storm water got into our entombment (underground supply) which we have since corrected." Asked if that meant the water was now safe to drink in that area and other sections of the town, he said "Yes, it is. We have conducted tests which are saying that the public is not at risk and that the water is safe for consumption."
Pressed on whether it was a recurring problem, Mr. Fletcher said it was his understanding that when it rains, there's usually debris that flowed down from the hills. "Squatting is a problem, not just in Ocho Rios but throughout Jamaica," he said. "We have been forced to closed down wells in the past because of stuff getting into the water. If this is not corrected in Ocho Rios, it is conceivable that we might have to close wells here also... squatting is a very serious problem that must be addressed."
RESULTING FROM SQUATTING
Water pollution resulting from squatting is considered a major problem throughout the island's coastal towns. In many areas, water is obtained for drinking and household use from unprotected rivers that are contaminated with human waste. This type of contamination is said to cause diarrhoea, particularly among children, and in some cases can lead to death.
Others though are not buying the NWC's explanation. "When contamination reaches underground water, it is difficult to correct," said Raymond Forrest, teacher. "Squatter dwellings have multiplied in numbers throughout Ocho Rios and in the prime water shed areas. The politicians have done nothing about them and the problem is now out of control. Many of these squatters, actually most of them, have no toilets and simply pass their waste in the bushes or in plastic bags. The same thing applies to the women and their sanitary pads. Whenever it rains where do you think all these things go? They are washed down into the rivers and wherever else they might end up. I would not swim in any river or any water as a matter of fact in Ocho Rios after a heavy rainfall. I also caution strongly against drinking the water."
Kathy Byles, executive director of the environmental group Friends of the Sea, said it was her understanding that tests were conducted on water samples in the town by the relevant authorities and that it would be "better to await the results than to jump to conclusions."
"Water that looks dirty isn't necessarily dangerous to a person's health," she stressed. "Likewise water that looks clean can also be unhealthy." She noted, however, that the situation in Ocho Rios cannot be trivialised, warning that the tourism industry is at risk.
Peter Wilson Kelly, assistant in charge of coastal water management for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), said he had heard 'the rumour' about the water supply in sections of Ocho Rios being affected but could not confirm. "Our Water Resources Authority have gone to investigate but I haven't heard anything since," Mr. Kelly said. "I can say though that any where there is squatting and areas being unregulated then there is always the possibility of water supply getting contaminated."
