NEPA CONFIRMS NO SPILL IN RIO COBRE RIVER

Attention: All News Editors                                    

23 August 2022

Kingston, Jamaica

This morning at approximately 8am, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) received a video report that was being widely circulated of an alleged pollution incident along the Rio Cobre River at Zephyrton, close to the Linstead area in St Catherine.

The Agency’s pollution response team was immediately mobilised and assigned to investigate the veracity, or otherwise, of the report. The response team’s investigations and assessments spanned as far north as the Pleasant Farm to Byndloss areas, and as far south terminating at Dam Head.

Based on the findings of the investigations, NEPA has found no evidence of a pollution incident or any negative impact on the waterbody of the Rio Cobre River. The response team has identified the area where the video was allegedly recorded. This area displayed signs of impact, which is attributed to ‘wash down’ of residue from contaminated gullies from a previous spill/pollution incident.

For more information, please contact:

Public Education and Corporate Communication Branch

Tel: (876) 754-7540,