Councillor John Myers (standing right) argues during Tuesday's monthly meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation as Councillor Dennis Gordon (standing left) rises to recommend that Myers face a disciplinary committee for bringing the meeting into disrepute. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)
‘No cause for alarm’
Health ministry confirms samples show bacteria in city water but says results not unusual
THE Ministry of Health and Wellness on Tuesday confirmed that some samples from systems operated by the National Water Commission (NWC) in Kingston and St Andrew tested positive for E.coli, but made it clear that there was “no cause for alarm”.
So confident was the ministry about the safety of the city’s water supply it said there was no need for a public advisory encouraging the boiling of water.
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According to the ministry, the water test results were not unusual, particularly during periods of drought, pipe breakages, heavy rainfall, and other events that cause environmental contamination.
“In such instances, the ministry, through its established protocols, initiates an investigation to determine the cause, assess the extent of contamination, and guide the necessary corrective actions. This process is carried out in partnership with the NWC, municipal corporations, and other water providers. It is important to clarify that a ‘Boil Water Advisory’ is a public health precaution issued solely by the medical officer of health — the authority responsible for safeguarding public health within each parish.
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“This advisory is issued when there is an imminent risk of water-borne disease and typically applies to a specific geographic area affected by compromised water supply systems. Boil water advisories are localised and not parish-wide, except in the case of major natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, or earthquakes that significantly impact water quality,” the ministry said, indicating that it continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.
The statement came after Councillor Jesse James Clarke (People’s National Party [PNP], Trafalgar Division) again charged that the quality of water supplied to residents of Kingston and St Andrew was questionable.
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Clarke took the matter to Tuesday’s monthly meeting 0f the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), causing an uproar in the council.
He moved a resolution, which triggered the ire of Councillor John Myers (Jamaica Labour Party, Lawrence Tavern Division) who, after a tirade, stormed out of the meeting.
“In rural areas [of Kingston and St Andrew], we are drinking the water and the water is very good. I am not sitting here and listen to a resolution like this. This resolution is a political resolution. For 20 years you never fix no water, you never fix anything, now you bringing resolution for political reasons. For five months we don’t have a report on the finance committee and now you a bring resolution for political reasons. What about the finance report? You are trying to destroy the credibility of my Government,” Myers charged, triggering a shouting match among councillors on both sides of the political divide.
The resolution that angered Myers emanated from a prolonged campaign by Clarke who has, for weeks, had insisted that the water supply was contaminated.
The resolution stated that, based on the NWC’s results published at the monthly Public Health and Sanitation Committee meetings, consumers in rural areas of the KSAMC have been supplied with substandard water with coliform. The coliform is said to be at levels as high five times the allowable limit on numerous occasions.
Clarke proposed that water which does not adhere to the recommended microbiological or chemical standards should not be supplied to any customer of the NWC due to the significant health risk to which they would be exposed.
The resolution recommended that the Bureau of Standards Jamaica be tasked with testing water being released from all treatment and distribution sites and the communities serviced by them.
Councillor Chrishina Richards (PNP, Brandon Hill Division), implored all councillors to support the resolution, saying that it was in no way moved for political reasons as claimed by Myers.
She repeated the often-used statement “water is life” and said the councillors cannot afford not to act on behalf of residents of the municipality.
“I implore you all to support a resolution worthy of all our support as our lives and livelihoods depend on this precious commodity called water. I know that political tempers are high, but there are some things that should be bipartisan. What was brought to you must not be seen as slinging shots at anyone, whether it was 20 years ago that this would have been brought up.
“Such a time as now, the Public Health and Sanitation Committee happened to have done some deep research and work and it is not to be seen as a way to expose anyone. We are all drinking this water and we ought to do better. We should be looking at solutions and how we can move forward. I am asking you, please to support this resolution,” she said.
Last month, after Clarke had first made the claim, the NWC issued a statement rejecting his statement as “false and misleading”.
The NWC said it was assuring customers in urban and rural areas of Kingston and St Andrew, as well as those in the wider nation, that the water it supplies remains safe for consumption.
“Our operations adhere strictly to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure the highest standards of water quality and safety,” the NWC said.
It also said it “remains dedicated to transparency and the continuous delivery of potable water that meets all regulatory health and safety standards”.
