ESPECIALLY !!!!!!! when there is a FLOODED !!!! sewage treatment plant upstream !!!!!

Blues_Pirate wrote:I for one will not be satisfied regardless of what anyone says about sewage overflow or plant matter until the sea water is tested by the proper authorities at the mouth of the river when it is severly discoloured.

booger wrote: No, however if you showed up in Negril for your vacation and the beach was closed due to the shit levels being to high, would you be interested in coming back?

What do you think about this?

It was on the facebook page put out by "On the Ground News" report on February 3, 2012
https://www.facebook.com/notes/on-the-ground-news-reports/confirmed-nwc-refutes-claim-by-nepa-that-its-sewage-treatment-plant-is-polluting/321708444539050
For those who aren't on facebook I will share it here

Confirmed: NWC refutes claim by NEPA that its sewage treatment plant is polluting the South #Negril River

"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.

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."

Perhaps I am being biased but I can't help but think this sounds like a lot of "he said she said" with a few red herrings thrown in the pond. Personally this does not appease me, if anything it makes me more distrustful. I sure wish we could see some real data, all we have heard and seen is hearsay from both sides of this issue.

If the results were positive you would think they would be on the front page of the Gleaner. Look at the reef - we know that beautiful water isn't right or it wouldn't be dead. Ok time to go to lens crafters - I need to tint my glasses.

booger wrote: Kylake,
This is not Kansas, or Florida for that matter. Fact is if potential vacationers read that Negril waters have issues with fecal content they would vacation elsewhere. The Caribbean is full of numerous beaches and folks can simply go elsewhere. It is not in the interest of the Tourist Board to test the waters either. It would counterproductive to their mission.

In my mind if vacationers read there is a problem and tourism drops then actually something might be done to resolve the problem. I just don't see where hiding it helps anyone or Negril. Do you?

To end on a positive note, like you, I would also like to understand what the hotel tax accomplishes other than probably lining someones or some agency's pocket.

We were there when it occurred and whatever it was, it didn't smell like sewage.

So I have stayed out of this debate up to this point, but I will add a few thoughts into this discussion. I grew up in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Haiti & Dominican Republic) and my Dad spent time in the PR Economic Development Assoc back in the late 60's thru the mid 70's. The US EPA was just getting started in late 71 and early 72. I saw many instances of this "river overflow" in my time, I also noticed that very few if any of the locals ever went in the water when the tannic water was present. My dad told stories for years about how the Economic Dev Assoc would never release info about any story that brought negative attention to tourism. It didn't matter about attacks on US citizens, robberies or a pollution release. He always said to us, when the fisherman don't go out or the lifeguards don't get in the water it's time to stay away from the ocean and spend the day at the pool.
Currently I work for a Global Environmental, Heath & Safety consulting firm, I'm not nor have I ever been an environmental consultant (been selling regulatory compliance services to them for 26 years) but I have learned many things over the years. Having been around many treatment facilities I have experienced the in' sand out's of poo. One thing I have always noticed is that once poo has been treated it doesn't smell like poo. Also one of my co-workers who is an environmental specialist worked in Ochi for 3 years and has been involved in a number of projects around the island. She said to me you would be surprised at the amount of pollution on the Island, in the rivers and how the Gov't has looked the other way to protect the tourism $'s. I also lived in Miami and saw many cruise ships dumping trash and emptying "tanks" offshore. Our waters are nasty all over, we have just done a better job in the last 15-20 years making sure we take better care of the water.

I don't have hard cold facts, but this is what I have experienced in my life with living in the islands and being close to tourism with my dad.

Tanfastic .... I think you are 100% correct !!!!

"Beaches in So California are closed at least annually. "
And this is one of the reason why I live on the NORTHERN California coast!!

Booger wrote: Kylake,
Not sure why you continue to feel the need to take pot shots at me about MOD jobs and the like on the other board.

i witnessed the 'brown river water' flow up the beach last week....the locals saying it was because of the heavy rains and the river 'over-flowing'.

i did not get in the sea that day but did after the 'brown' was gone AND did see locals swimming in it,,,just sayin'.