NEPA to serve Enforcement Notice on Windalco

July 18, 2012

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), is preparing to take enforcement action against bauxite mining company Windalco following the release of 62,500 gallons (250,000 litres) of trade effluent into the Pleasant Farm Gully on July 15. The release of untreated effluent resulted in the pollution of the Rio Cobre River and an accompanying fish kill.

NEPA has communicated the pollution of the river to the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) which has since shut down the intake from the Rio Cobre. The National Water Commission (NWC) has also been forced to shut down its intake into the Spanish Town Treat Plant.

Enforcement action is to be initiated under Section 18 of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) Act to compel Windalco to cease the discharge of effluent, remediate the affected areas and to take immediate action to rehabilitate the East Pool at their Ewarton facility.

NEPA is continuing its investigations and will provide further updates.