Christmas Eve Fish Kill Contained

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is reporting that a small fish kill which occurred at the Rio Cobre River on December 24 is now contained.

In investigating the incident, in which approximately 50 fish were seen floating on the river on Christmas morning, it was discovered that the pollution was due to a malfunctioning National Water Commission (NWC) sewage treatment plant at Charlemont in St. Catherine. The defective plant caused untreated sewage to be emitted into the Old John’s Gully which flows into the river. The NWC has since corrected the problem which was due to a power outage at the plant. Arising from this incident, NEPA will be serving the NWC with an enforcement notice tomorrow (December 27, 2023) to outline specific terms to which the entity must comply.

Public Education and Corporate Communication Branch (PECCB)

National Environment and Planning Agency

Tel: 876-754-7540, ext. 2751;

Email: angela.hamilton@nepa.gov.jm

Website: www.nepa.gov.j