OG.NR has obtained a press release by the National Water Commission which has refuted allegations that its Sewage Treatment Plant is polluting the South Negril River by the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA).
The NWC says it has done its own investigation and has found no evidence to substantiate the allegations made and is advising the public that the Negril wastewater treatment facility was recently rehabilitated.
See full Press Release below:

The National Water Commission (NWC) notes with concern a release from the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) alleging that the National Water Commission’s Negril Sewage Treatment Plant is malfunctioning and is the cause of a “pollution incident”. The National Water Commission (NWC) has since investigated the matter and wishes to advise the public that it has found no evidence that the Negril wastewater treatment facility is “malfunctioning” or is the cause of what is being described as a “pollution incident” in the South Negril River.

The National Water Commission also wishes to point out that the Negril Wastewater Treatment Ponds were recently rehabilitated and are now, based both on the empirical scientific data and easily observable aesthetic presentations, operating at a much improved level. Our preliminary analysis of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) from discharged effluent from the ponds indicates that the ponds are not contributing negatively to the health of the river.

In fact, while NEPA has provided no scientific basis for its allegation, the ponds are teeming with a large, healthy fish population, a normal biological indicator of the health of a pond. NWC's on-going monitoring over the past month also shows no evidence of untreated sewage being discharged into the South Negril River from the wastewater ponds

Furthermore, it would appear from the statement issued by NEPA that no other possible cause of pollution has been or is being considered even in the face of clear evidence that many other activities in the area impact the river and that the virtual blockage of the mouth of the river could also contribute to poor water quality.
In the interest of getting to the real cause of the problem and implementing effective and sustainable solutions to the benefit of all concerned, the National Water Commission continues to investigate the matter and urges that evidence-based analysis be used to determine the cause of this unfortunate situation.
The National Water Commission remains available to work closely with the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) and all other relevant stakeholders to resolve this matter.