Jamaica: NEPA reports containment of fish kill in Rio Cobre

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has announced that the small-scale fish kill incident that transpired in Jamaica’s Rio Cobre River on December 24, 2023, has been successfully contained. 

Reports are that approximately 50 lifeless fish were discovered floating on the river’s surface on Christmas morning.

NWC sewage treatment plant malfunction 

Upon thorough investigation, NEPA determined that the root cause of this environmental issue was a malfunctioning sewage treatment plant operated by the National Water Commission (NWC) located at Charlemont in St. Catherine. 

The malfunction in question resulted in untreated sewage being discharged into the Old John’s Gully, which subsequently flows into the Rio Cobre River.

The NWC has since corrected the problem which was due to a power outage at the plant.

 NEPA will be serving the NWC with an enforcement notice to outline specific terms to which the organization must comply.