essay on water pollution in jamaica

Jamaica Pollution of Water Issue

The following academic paper highlights the up-to-date issues and questions of Jamaica Pollution. This sample provides just some ideas on how this topic can be analyzed and discussed.

One hundred and fifty years ago, the monster began, this country had become a place of industry. Factories grew on the landscape like weeds. Trees fell, fields were up-ended, rivers blackened. The sky choked on smoke and ash, and the people did, too, spending their days coughing and itching, their eyes turned forever toward the ground.

Villages grew into town, towns into cities.

And people began to live on the earth rather than within it. ” Patrick News, A Monster Calls

The theme chosen is socio economic issues; these are problems involving the economy and the social lives of citizens, the topic that was derived from this theme was “Water Pollution in the Jamaican Society’. The purpose of this theme is to make the researcher become more aware of the socio economic issues facing her community and moreover widen her knowledge on these issues.

The theme relates to the researchers academic interest where as she intends to pursue a career in socioeconomics.

She aims to bring about socioeconomic development and the overall quality f life in her society and also make others become more aware of the problems that the community and also their country are facing. Did you know nearly 1. 5 billion people lack safe drinking water? Did you also know that it is estimated that at least 5 million deaths per year can be attributed to waterborne diseases? With over 70% of the planet covered by oceans people have long acted as if bodies of water are limitless grounds for wastes.

Proficient in: Environmental Science

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Raw sewage, garbage and oil spills have begun to overwhelm the diluting capabilities of the oceans and most coastal waters are now polluted. Water s needed by everyone for different uses; however water is a limited natural resource which is replenished at a certain rate. Simply put, if the rate of use exceeds the rate of natural replenishment then there will be less water for everyone until there is no water for everyone. Water is a fundamental survival need of mankind. In fact, denying people access to water is tantamount to denying them a basic human right.

Water Quality In Jamaica

Still, about one billion people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water. In developing countries, especially in small island states such as Jamaica, water assumes great importance in sustainable development. Water is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource that exists on our planet. Without water life on Earth would be non-existent as it is essential for everything on our planet to grow and prosper. Even though humans are aware of this fact we ignore it by polluting our rivers, lakes and oceans.

As a result are harming our planet and ourselves. This essay examines issues relating to sources and effects of pollution, prevention and further destruction in the Caribbean island of Jamaica. There are two types of water pollutants, point sources and nonprofit resources. Point sources of pollution occur when harmful substances are emitted directly into a body of water. Point sources include pipelines, channels and drains from identifiable locations such as an industrial plant and landfills.

A nonprofit source delivers pollutants indirectly through environmental changes. Agricultural and urban runoff and airborne particulates are examples of nonprofit sources, and their entry points to receiving waters are often difficult to identify. Diffuse or nonprofit pollution sources are significant due to their far reaching geographical and temporal effects and the difficulty to contain them once they are in the water systems. According to National Environment and Planning Agency (NEAP) Jamaican major environmental problems involve water quality and waste disposal.

Did you know that 77% of Jamaican renewable water resources are used for agriculture and 7% is used for industrial purposes? Principal environmental issues facing Jamaican second largest industry are caustic soda contamination of water supplies, bauxite and alumina dust, and CEO-system dislocation. However, the island is so dependent on the export that it is very fisticuff to stop the practice. Being a limited resource in Jamaica, some day it will. But until then Jamaica needs to find mining techniques that are less harmful to the environment.

The major environmental problem caused by the industry is the disposal of the tailings, which forms an alkaline mud. The original procedure that was used to dispose of the red mud to pump material into mined-out ore bodies and Dyke valleys, however, these “red mud lakes” resulted in the percolation of caustic residues (sodium) into the underground aquifers in local areas. Recent readings obtained from domestic water wells in he vicinity of Jamaican alumina refineries have indicated elevated sodium and PH readings.

Also, the escape of caustic soda (which is used to extract alumina from raw bauxite) into the groundwater supply significantly increases sodium concentration of domestic well water mostly in the rural areas. Sodium is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension. As a result of its genetic composition, the Jamaican population is particularly subject to hypertension, which can be aggravated by high levels of sodium. On July 15, 201 2, 62,500 gallons or 250,000 liters of untreated trade effluent was purportedly released into the Pleasant Farm Gully, which leads to the ROI Cobber.

It caused the pollution of the river and forced the National Irrigation Commission to shut down operations there, and the National Water Commission to shut down its intake from the river into the Spanish Town treatment plant The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEAP) took the first Step toward legal action against the West Indies Alumina Company (Windfall), which it blames for the fish kill at the ROI Cobber in SST Catherine. The alleged breach under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Natural

Resources Conservation Authority Act. , NEAP revealed, concerned the discharge of trade effluent into the environment without the requisite license, while the reported breach under the Wildlife Protection Act had to do with allowing a toxic substance into a water body that contains fish. “The preliminary water sample test results were showing that the ROI Cobber had a pH level of 1 1. 2 on August 30 when the fish kill was detected. Our results were 11. 2, which is very close to 14.

That level was very alkaline and resulted in the fish kill,” NEAP told the Sunday Observer. They added that the presence of sodium hydroxide, an alkaline sodium compound used by bauxite companies in their operations, had likely caused the waters alkalinity. The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEAP), has served an Enforcement Notice on the National Water Commission (NC) for the alleged discharge of improperly treated trade effluent from a sewer main on North Street, Kingston.

The sewer main empties into a gully that discharges into the Kingston Harbor. “The discharge of improperly treated trade effluent into the environment poses a serious threat to the health of persons in immunities in the vicinity, as well as to the natural resources within the Kingston Harbor,” said a statement from NEAP For non-point pollution in particular, prevention is the most effective measure.

Harmful production, consumption and disposal practices need to be monitored, controlled, and where possible prohibited, to prevent hazardous substances from reaching water bodies and impacting human and ecosystem health. Destruction is a man’s will, nevertheless prevention is also a man’s will, its a man’s choice to choose between destruction and prevention. Pollution is an everyday thing, e all do it, we see friends, family and strangers do it, we know it is wrong so why do we further the destruction of our island?

We are not just killing the small fishes in the sea, or making our beaches look unpleasant but making our small home unfit for our living. It has been written that the meek shall inherit the earth. What has not been written is that they shall inherit it after the greedy and the selfish have already polluted the air, fouled the water and poisoned the food chain. The actual moral of the parable is stand up for yourself, for our planet and for all who dwell here.

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Jamaica Pollution of Water Issue. (2019, Dec 06). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/paper-on-water-pollution-in-the-jamaican-society/

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PaperAp.com. (2019). Jamaica Pollution of Water Issue . [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/paper-on-water-pollution-in-the-jamaican-society/ [Accessed: 28 Nov. 2024]

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"Jamaica Pollution of Water Issue," PaperAp.com , 06-Dec-2019. [Online]. Available: https://paperap.com/paper-on-water-pollution-in-the-jamaican-society/. [Accessed: 28-Nov-2024]

PaperAp.com. (2019). Jamaica Pollution of Water Issue . [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/paper-on-water-pollution-in-the-jamaican-society/ [Accessed: 28-Nov-2024]

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The drivers of flooding: Pollution and land selection

Flooding continues to be a major challenge for Jamaica once the country receives heavy rainfall from any weather system. Over the years, it has been noted that heavy rainfall is more devastating than associated winds of weather systems. Post-heavy rainfall the country is left with exorbitant restoration bills, which are costly personally and nationally.

Floodwaters from hurricanes Michelle, Charlie, Ivan, Dean, and Sandy; as well as tropical storms Nicole and Gustav, left the population of Jamaica nursing wounds caused by loss of and damage to property. This is compounded by interruption to communication networks, utilities, among others services. Understanding the associated struggles caused by flooding from these recent systems has heightened the call for Jamaicans to understand their fundamental role in the protection of life and property, and so attention must be given to pollution and land selection as it relates to flooding.

Pollution is caused by human activities. Notably, garbage is easily responsible for much of the flooding experienced by Jamaicans. We continue to dispose of our solid waste in ways that are harmful to the environment. This improper disposal of garbage severely impacts communities when it rains heavily because the refuse frequently clogs already inadequate drainage systems, gullies, and streams.

Campaigns such as ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ are imperative in tackling this unfortunate practice, but the population, too, urban and rural, must accept their role and commence the practice of disposing of their garbage in ways that do not lead to the blockage of existing drains. Flooding will continue to be a prevalent problem in Jamaica once the respective waterways are clogged, thus continued loss and damage of property. It is useless to demand the Government’s assistance when personal responsibility is not yet accepted. Both units must work as one to combat this issue, starting with responsible disposal of garbage.

Research has confirmed the role of pollution in flooding. Drains can’t channel floodwaters while they are clogged by debris/garbage from human activities. Hence, more focus is required on the practice of proper garbage disposal.

Though the challenge is not unique to Jamaica it doesn’t mean we should find comfort in the same. Instead, we need to mobilise our efforts to ensure our drains are kept clean. The economic cost of flooding is far more expensive than the cost of keeping them clean.

It is unflattering that our narrative when it rains is predictive. We are never surprised by the floodwaters covering the roadways; regrettably, it has become a part of our lives.

Land selection

Educating the population on proper land selection in establishing settlements is of utmost importance for flood prevention within a country. It is best practice to examine the site and situation when establishing any form of structure. Too often the media reports houses being washed from a slope, rocks crushing properties, and premises becoming inundated because structures were erected in unsuitable areas.

It should be noted that when water has nowhere to go it settles; when land, especially on a slope, becomes overly saturated it moves. Flat sites usually pose a problem for storm water drainage with high possibilities of being waterlogged.

Understanding that some individuals lack choices in where they live is an indication that it is time for more low-income housing solutions that will remove individuals from these poor choice areas. However, while the Government works on this initiative it would be incredibly useful for residents to start observing their environment and deciding on better areas for building. This will reduce the number of individuals who leave their homes owing to water invasion and/or displacement of the structure. Establishing habitats outside of areas prone to flooding and landslide preserve both life and property.

Importantly, land selection is as much a commercial issue as it is residential. Some businesses are severely impacted by floodwaters owing to their location. Some sites are not ideal to erect neither businesses nor settlements, particularly because of the topography that exists in that area. Water flows from highland to lowland and unknowingly erecting a structure in the direct path of where water flows will prove detrimental.

It can be misconstrued that the situation is safe for any building when this is not so. Consequently, the technocrats of the relevant agencies are obligated to intervene and proffer expertise as required. The problem often becomes compounded based on the quality of the structure that is erected, and so much work is required to ensure the guidelines for building are followed.

There must be that voice of reason repeating the impacts of putting up buildings where they do not belong, advising of the repercussions of flooding and economic loss. It is worth noting that site deficiencies are common, and so questions around the weight of the maintenance required must be presented, which includes geotechnical planning, retaining walls, and artificial drainage.

These are among the biggest drivers of flooding in Jamaica and they require attention.

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Study makes case for improved wastewater management in Jamaica

With the climate threat to Jamaica’s freshwater resources exacerbated by pollution, there is an urgent call to action for improved wastewater management on the island.

And this, not only in the interest of water security but also public health, as reflected in the December 2013 “National Baseline Assessment Study on Wastewater Management for Jamaica”.

"The main sources of water pollution in Jamaica are: inadequate sewage disposal, soil erosion and agricultural and industrial discharges. Surface water is more susceptible to contamination and is used to transport waste from industrial complexes and human settlements,” reveals the study, which was revised in January 2015.

The reality of that pollution and the associated improper management of solid and liquid waste is seen, it advanced, in the existing range of vector-borne diseases, from chikungunya to dengue, malaria (spread by mosquitoes) and leptospirosis (spread by rodents).

"The high content of nitrates and phosphates in wastewater (raw, partially treated and treated) causes massive growth of vegetation mats in gullies and streams, converting them into mosquito breeding sites and increasing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases,” explained the report on the study, done under the Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (CReW) project of the United Nations Environment Programme-Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit.

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“Also, flooding caused by the presence of these mats eliminates natural breeding sites of rodents forcing them to migrate to surrounding homes in search of food, potentially causing leptospirosis,” it added.

At the same time, increased temperatures associated with climate change will mean, among other things, that “the number of showers per person per day is likely to increase in many places and consequently the amount of water for laundry. This would bring an increase in the amount of greywater generated in each household”.

Further, the report on the study - prepared by Dr Homero Silva - said: “The coastal area has been prioritised because of its low‐lying state, the population concentration in this zone, the level of infrastructural development, and the range of economic activities occurring there. Therefore, it is expected that sanitation infrastructure (sewer lines, latrines and septic tanks) will be affected, increasing the amount of wastewater and excreta in contact with both groundwater and the sea.”

The situation is one that warrants, according to the study, consolidation of “all sanitation legislation into one comprehensive act that will address all aspects of sanitation services consistent with the LBS Protocol (Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities)”.

The LBS Protocol is a regional mechanism that helps UN member states in the Wider Caribbean Region to meet the goals and obligations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Global Plan of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA).

UNCLOS calls for countries to adopt laws and regulations to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment from land-based sources while the GPA highlights the need for action to reduce the pollutant load to the seas from land-based sources and activities.

Meanwhile, to combat the pollution and associated challenges, the study also identifies the need to: -conduct proper planning to guarantee the timely delivery of interventions in the sector, “especially to identify and share responsibilities among stakeholders, reduce costs, reduce energy consumption and make the best use of available materials and human resources”; - strengthen the human resources capabilities, both in terms of number and qualifications of the Environmental Health Unit and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA); and - expand the analytical capacity of NEPA and Environmental Health Laboratory to carry out chemical organic analysis and analysis of pesticides, pharmaceutical waste and heavy metals. - Support the review, socialisation and use of the Manual for Minimum Requirements for Waste Water Treatment Systems and Excreta Management in Jamaica.

Critically, the report said that there is need, too, to “place more attention on sanitation”.

”Sanitation continues to remain a neglected portfolio. Progress in sanitation should be accelerated and will require a concerted effort at national and local levels to accelerate the progress,” noted the study, which forms a part of a regional assessment for the Wider Caribbean Region.

“Good sanitation is achievable if supported by the right set of policies, targeted technical assistance, institutional capacity, adequate funding, and strong political commitment and community engagement,” it added.