Where Has The Water Gone?

-
Each year during this period (March to April) Jamaica experiences a water shortage. It has now become common place, especially in Kingston and its environs, to see scores of Jamaicans walking in search of water daily as the taps run dry or as water restrictions by the National Water Commission (NWC) intensifies. Our public institutions, in particularly our schools have been severely hampered and in some instances some schools have had to dismiss early due to the lack of water on their campuses. The Mona Reservoir was opened in the 1940,s, while the Hermitage Dam was opened in 1927. Both facilities were built to provide a reserve water supply for the corporate area of Kingston and St. Andrew. However, at the time those catchment areas were built they were able to adequately provide water for the population.  Since 1943, we have seen an explosion in the growth of the population not only for those two parishes but for Jamaica on a whole.

According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, the population of Kingston and Port Royal in 1943 was 103, 713. The same source states that the population of St. Andrew was 120, 067. As a country we have not invested in the necessary infrastructure to adequately provide water for the citizens, given the increase in the population which should have been expected. According to the 2011 census, the population of Kingston stood at 937, 700. Why then do we continue to have census taking if it is that the data collected is not being used to properly plan for the needs and development of the people?  

While we have had some water supply inventions since both dams were built more than sixty years ago clearly more can and should be done to ensure a reliable water supply for the citizens of this country. It is clear we lack proper planning and management in such an important resource.  What is interesting also in the fact that despite the water shortage and restriction water bills from the National Water Commission will likely be for the same amount or in some instances, there might be an increase.

Without any concrete plans in place, it’s very likely that come next year, we will go through this dry phase again. There can be no sustainable development without a reliable and consistent water supply.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Promoting Literacy For A World In Transition

-
Image
Oftentimes we speak about literacy yet, the practicality regarding targeted interventions to support literacy in many educational institutions is hijacked in the politics of education. In the long term both the students and indeed the society suffer the consequences. Literacy ignities creativity and desire. Literacy is that springboard that must propel all students in order for them to navigate their educational journey successfully. Regrettably, without acquiring the tools of literacy one is imprisoned and those around also are serving this sentence. Literacy is a potent tool to eradicate generational poverty. Literacy also serves as a vehicle for social progress and sustainable development. Unfortunately, many societies do not invest as much in literacy skills as they ought to. The Global South oftentimes is burdened by debt repayment to multi-national lending agencies that cut into the budget that should be set aside as an investment in education. The statistic paints a damning pic
Read more

The Psychology Of Dunce

-
Image
The word ‘dunce’ has always had a fixed address in our local lexicon. The summer holidays are now over, yet the narrative associated with the ‘dunce’ labeled knapsacks has carried over into the new academic year. We often underestimate the power and force of our popular culture to our detriment. Gone are the days when teachers were seen as role models for students; there has been a tsunami-like shift in our values and attitudes over the years and this has given rise to a number of sub-cultures many of which are toxic. Many of the social ills of the society are grounded in our painful past of enslavement and colonialization. Unfortunately, the State has been complicit in the promulgation of some of these social problems. Sadly, as a society we have internalized this trauma and as a result generation after generation have had to deal with social problems of various forms in our post-slavery society. Over the decades we have inherited and we have continued to nurture an elitist educati
Read more

Israel Hamas War

-
Image
“Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”- Psalm 121:4. It appears we have been hearing about the Arab/Israeli conflict from time immemorial. However, it is important that some historical and Biblical context be interjected into the narrative in order for a better understanding of this current war. In the Bible, the phrase ‘Promised Land’ refers to a specific region of land that God promised to his chosen people of Israel. God first gave this pledge of land to Abraham saying, “I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert to the Euphrates River.” This pledge was reiterated to Abraham’s descendants until the time came for His people to claim their inheritance. Abraham knew that he would not see God’s Promised Land with his own eyes. In fact, God made it clear to him that the land would not be given until four generations had passed, and that his descendants would face the hardship of slavery in Egypt before the
Read more