NEPA serves NWC with Enforcement Notice for Polluting the Kingston Harbour

January 3, 2011

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), has served an Enforcement Notice on the National Water Commission (NWC) for the 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 Harbour. (See attached photos)

The discharge of improperly treated trade effluent into the environment poses a serious threat to the health of persons in communities in the vicinity, as well as to the natural resources within the Kingston Harbour.

The Notice was served on Friday, December 31, 2010 under Section 18 of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act. As per the conditions of the Enforcement Notice, NWC is required to immediately cease the discharge of the improperly treated trade effluent into the environment.

The NWC has failed to comply with the Enforcement Notice. The Agency is taking steps to prepare Summons for court action against the NWC for its failure to heed the requirements of the Enforcement Notice as well as for breaches under the Wild Life Protection Act.

Members of the public are being asked to provide information which may assist NEPA in taking action against environmental polluters by calling 1-888-991-5005, 478-7957, 119 or reporting to the nearest police station.

Blood Coloured Water in Gully
Blood Coloured Water in Gully
Draining into Kingston Harbour Gully
Draining into Kingston Harbour Gully

Click to view all 2011 Media Releases

December 13, 2011
NRCA/NEPA responds to concerns over illegal export of endemic parrots
December 12, 2011
NEPA and UNDP partner to launch State of the Environment and Human Development Reports
December 7, 2011
Jamaica to request return of endemic parrots…confirmation being sought to verify species and numbers
November 30, 2011
Jamaica to host Fifth Pan-American Regional Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention)
October 25, 2011
NEPA to take further action against the Proprietors of Darlington Court
October 13, 2011
Supreme Court Rules that NRCA & NEPA Did Not Breach Statutory Duty in Palisadoes Case
October 11, 2011
NEPA prepares to launch State of the Environment Report in November
October 11, 2011
NEPA to increase surveillance in Galleon Harbour, St Elizabeth to address upsurge in sea turtle poaching
October 10, 2011
Two men charged for possession of turtle shell and meat in St Ann
September 30, 2011
No permission given to clear mangroves in St Thomas - NEPA
September 16, 2011
NEPA and JCDT sign new MOU…two motorcycles to be used to monitor Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
September 16, 2011
September 16 is International Ozone Day…Jamaica makes plans for phasing out HCFCs starting 2013
September 15, 2011
Jamaica celebrates International Coastal Clean-up Day on September 17… NEPA partners with UDC, schools and corporate entities to clean-up coasts
August 24, 2011
Hunter Caught with Protected Birds
August 15, 2011
NEPA serves NWA with Warning Notice for unapproved work at Palisadoes
August 11, 2011
2011 Game Bird Hunting Season Opens on August 20
August 8, 2011
NEPA takes WINDALCO to Court for July 29 pollution incident
August 3, 2011
NEPA Takes Enforcement Action against WINDALCO
July 27, 2011
NEPA reviews options for safe storage of sodium cyanide from inactive gold mining site
July 27, 2011
NEPA Implementing Watershed Area Management Mechanism (WAMM)
July 25, 2011
NEPA successful with enforcement action in Blue Lagoon breaches
July 15, 2011
Preliminary Work Began at Inactive Gold Mining site in Clarendon: NEPA
July 13, 2011
Gold mining site at Pennants, Clarendon declared restricted area
July 11, 2011
NEPA completes preliminary investigation at Pennants, Clarendon
July 11, 2011
NEPA responds to report about possible hazardous substance leak in Pennant, Clarendon
July 8, 2011
NEPA’s responsibility for the regulations of Bauxite Processing Facilities in Jamaica
June 13, 2011
Jamaican Environmentalists review Caribbean Invasive Species Strategy
June 5, 2011
Crocodile Alert
May 19, 2011
NRCA/NEPA files affidavit in court in response to JET’s request for judicial review of Palisadoes shoreline works
April 28, 2011
NEPA warns the public to avoid crocodile nesting areas… Crocodiles are wild animals and must be avoided
April 5, 2011
NEPA serves Breach Notice against Clarendon Distillery for release of Dunder into Rio Minho River…dunder may be the possible cause of the fish kill
April 4, 2011
NEPA warns the public not to feed or harass nesting crocodiles in Hellshire…crocodiles can be extremely aggressive when nesting
March 30, 2011
Beach Licences Expire by March 31, 2011…NEPA encourages licencees to take steps to renew
March 23, 2011
NEPA to provide technical support for new MOU between NRCA and Negril NGOs… Negril Marine Park to benefit from partnership
February 25, 2011
NEPA and UWI sign MOU
February 18, 2011
NEPA Take Legal Action Against Hill Crest Villas for Illegal Beach Operations
February 9, 2011
NEPA Hosts Inception Workshop for Protected Areas Project
February 1, 2011
World Wetlands Day is Wednesday, February 2, 2011
January 20, 2011
NEPA hosts first Visual Emission Observer Training in Jamaica
January 18, 2011
NEPA Honours IYB Photographic Competition Winners
January 7, 2011
NEPA serves NWC with Enforcement Notice for Polluting the Kingston Harbour
January 3, 2011
Enforcement Notice for Polluting the Kingston Harbour
January 1, 2011
NEPA Identifies Cause of Pollution in the Kingston Harbour