April 1, 2025
WATCH: PNP junior spokesman raises concerns over water quality discrepancies
KINGSTON, Jamaica – People’s National Party (PNP) Junior Spokesperson on Health and Wellness, Jessie James Clarke, is calling for clarity and accountability from the Ministry of Health and the National Water Commission (NWC) regarding the safety of Jamaica’s water supply.
Clarke is questioning the conflicting statements from both entities, highlighting the need for transparency in water quality reporting.
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Speaking on the issue, Clarke pointed out that while the Ministry of Health has declared the water safe for consumption, the NWC has presented data suggesting otherwise. He emphasised that the public deserves answers as to why the two agencies are providing conflicting information.
“The Ministry of Health came out and said the water was safe, but at the same time, the NWC is producing results showing that it is not,” Clarke stated. He further noted that the NWC had recently admitted to challenges in rural areas and, just days ago, acknowledged finding samples with fecal coliforms.
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Clarke is demanding that the NWC and the Ministry of Health provide greater transparency on water safety issues, including regular public updates on affected areas and ongoing corrective measures. He also called on journalists to conduct independent investigations by visiting rural treatment sites to assess the water purification process.
Additionally, Clarke proposed that the NWC adopt a system similar to Petrojam’s weekly fuel pricing updates, where water quality reports are consistently published. He believes that this would ensure affected residents are promptly informed about water issues and the steps being taken to resolve them.
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While recognising the challenges faced by NWC staff, Clarke urged the government to provide workers with the necessary resources to improve water quality testing and treatment. He reiterated that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health to oversee NWC operations and protect consumers by ensuring adherence to established water safety standards.
Clarke concluded by calling on the NWC to proactively disclose all areas experiencing water quality concerns rather than waiting for public outcry, stressing that infrastructure upgrades and filtration improvements are crucial to resolving the ongoing issues.
