JET Demands Action After Another Pollution Incident Plagues Rio Cobre

ST. CATHERINE, Jamaica – The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has expressed deep concern over yet another pollution incident affecting the Rio Cobre in St. Catherine, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of current environmental protection measures. This latest incident, which resulted in a fish kill, has once again placed the critical waterway and the communities that depend on it at risk.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) reported that it was alerted to the fish kill on Saturday morning, with initial observations indicating the cause may be linked to a caustic chemical. JET, in a media release issued on Tuesday, emphasized the importance of the Rio Cobre, a vital water source for approximately 150,000 people in Kingston and St. Andrew, supporting domestic, agricultural, and recreational uses, as well as local fisheries.

“This recurring environmental disaster raises serious questions about the effectiveness of pollution prevention measures and accountability for those responsible,” JET stated. NEPA issued a public advisory warning against using water from the affected sections of the river for domestic or recreational purposes. Videos circulating online showed dead fish floating in the contaminated waters.

JET highlighted the similarity of this incident to previous pollution events in the Rio Cobre, often linked to bauxite effluent, despite assurances of improved safeguards. Notably, a similar incident occurred on March 1, 2024, resulting in a “minor” fish kill. JET’s Access to Information (ATI) request for NEPA’s investigation report from the prior event has yet to be fulfilled.

Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, CEO of JET, raised concerns about the potential link between heavy rainfall and the spill. “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,” she said.

The incident has severely impacted residents, with fisherfolk reporting losses to their livelihoods and at least 31 communities in St. Catherine experiencing low water pressure or intermittent water supply due to contamination.

JET is calling for the government to provide clear and transparent updates on its investigation and outline concrete steps to prevent further pollution. They are also advocating for the implementation of a real-time water quality monitoring system to continuously track pollution levels and provide early warnings of contamination.

“The Rio Cobre continues to suffer repeated contamination, and the communities that depend on it deserve urgent action and accountability,” JET concluded, urging the government to prioritize the protection of this vital waterway.