The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) says it is deeply concerned about another pollution incident in the Rio Cobre, St. Catherine last Saturday (March 15) caused by a caustic chemical. 

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) noted that the pollution was detected at 6:45 am, with the initial assessment indicating that the water appeared cloudy and emitted a caustic odour.

NEPA advised the public via a press release issued later that day to avoid using water from the affected sections of the river for domestic or recreational purposes until further notice. Videos also showed dead fish floating in sections of the river.

JET, in a statement on Tuesday (March 18), said that this latest incident mirrors previous pollution events and fish kills in the Rio Cobre linked to bauxite effluent, despite repeated assurances that new safeguards would prevent further spills.

“One year ago, on March 1, 2024, a similar pollution incident occurred resulting in a ‘minor’ fish kill according to NEPA. JET submitted an Access to Information (ATI) request for NEPA’s investigation report, but to date, has not received a copy,” the environmental watchdog noted.

Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, chief executive at JET, stated, “We received reports that some heavy rainfall, about an hour or so, preceded the incident. If this was enough to trigger a spill, it suggests that the preventive measures remain inadequate.”

JET continues to call on the Government of Jamaica (GoJ) to:

• Provide clear and transparent updates on its investigation and outline concrete steps to prevent further pollution of this vital waterway.
• Enhance monitoring of the Rio Cobre by establishing a real-time water quality monitoring system that continuously tracks pollution levels and provides early warnings of contamination.

The Rio Cobre is a critical water source for at least 150,000 people in Kingston and St. Andrew and supports domestic, agricultural, and recreational use, as well as local fisheries. This recurring environmental disaster raises serious questions about the effectiveness of pollution prevention measures and accountability for those responsible.

According to the environmental watchdog, residents raised concerns about their inability to use the river for recreational purposes.

“The impact on fisherfolk’s livelihoods and disruptions to water supply was also highlighted. At least 31 communities across St. Catherine experienced low water pressure or intermittent supply due to the contamination,” the organisation added.

The Rio Cobre, JET maintained, continues to suffer repeated contamination, and the communities that depend on it deserve urgent action and accountability.