THE EDITOR, Sir:
YOUR EDITORIAL of December 29, 2005, regarding the recent flooding in Jamaica, prompted me to revisit The Challenge of Man's Future, by Harrison Brown. According to Brown, the earth's mantle contains large reservoirs of water known as ground water, which have accumulated as a result of the circulation of rain water down through cracks and crevices and through porous rocks and sands. The force of gravity then causes the water to move downward until it encounters lack of porosity; this prevents any further penetration. The upper limit of the zone of water becomes saturated and is known as 'ground water table'. The depth below the land surface maybe zero as in the case of areas near springs, or it may be thousands of feet deep.
With so much limestone and caves around, compounded by the increase of non-degradable garbage, we can see a link between water saturation zones and its adverse influence on flooding. However, depending on corrective measures taken, it shouldn't be all gloom and doom.
Underground water can be harnessed by drilling wells below the ground water table, pumping water to the surface for various uses.
LOSS OF LIVES
One of the greatest tragedies of flooding is the loss of lives. Sadly, many flood victims live in vulnerable, rural areas and are of modest economic means with limited access to land. As a consequence, very little attention is paid to proper land use on which they build their 'dream' homes. This could be due to lack of education and/or how information is given. And this brings me to the point of action. By this I mean taking a practical approach by those who govern. First, capture the moment to educate by using the devastation of recent and current floods, for example, St. Ann. For what more graphic and concrete examples can there be than to see people being transported by boats to reach dry land and leaving everything they own behind?
But, the larger picture remains and will remain with us because of the island's geology. The question is, can the drilling of wells along with proper drainage systems help to prevent future disasters? I believe that we have geologists, agro-nomists, engineers, architects, chemists, environmentalists and epidemiologists, to mention a few of the specially trained persons in Jamaica, along with the input and involvement of community residents. Could a group of such persons be organised to examine the feasibility and usefulness of drilling wells, especially in flood-prone areas? Could drilling wells be practical and cost-effective?
The harnessing of water can serve many purposes. Water is not only necessary for food, energy and minerals, but our existence is hinged on adequate and safe water. Take, for example, St. Elizabeth, the considered bread-basket of the island that is plagued by chronic drought. Well water properly used could reduce the hours and energy spent fetching water to sprinkle farms, while producing more food. Drilling wells could create employment for young people in the communities, while enhancing their sense of worth for contributing some-thing worthwhile and tangible to the community.
Flood does not only destroy lives and property, but it puts added economic strain on a country that is already strapped for funds.
I am, etc.,
F.L. SPENCER-STRACHAN
Medical Anthropologist
Kingston 10
