Build resilient water systems

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As Jamaica grapples with increasingly severe droughts and water insecurity, consideration should be given for building a resilient water system.

The island is experiencing its worst drought since 2014, with rainfall at just 28 per cent of historical averages in early 2023. Farmers in St Elizabeth and Clarendon watch crops wither, while families in Kingston queue for trucks carrying emergency water. But scarcity is only part of the problem:

– Ageing infrastructure leaks 46 per cent of treated water, which is a catastrophic loss.

– Saline intrusion threatens coastal aquifers like the Rio Cobre and Martha Brae, risking long-term contamination of freshwater reserves.

– Rural women farmers, who form 30 per cent of the agricultural backbone, face disproportionate hardship because of water insecurity.

The government’s efforts are commendable but require scaling:

– Infrastructure upgrades: The National Water Commission’s (NWC’s) $7-billion investment aims to improve supply for thousands. Projects like the Mona Reservoir solar plant will slash energy costs by $1 billion/year, making water production sustainable.

– Loss reduction: Partnerships with expert entities like MIYA have cut water losses by 26–60 per cent in Portmore and Kingston – proof that technical fixes work.

– Disaster preparedness: The managed artificial recharge programme in St Catherine is a smart step to replenish groundwater and combat saline intrusion.

Yet, major projects like dams or sediment-proof pipelines take 10–15 years to complete. We cannot afford delay.

We can learn from regional experiences like Trinidad and Tobago’s proposals – a Moruga River dam and Arena-Piarco pipeline – highlight how strategic infrastructure prevents shutdowns during floods or sediment surges.

Jamaica must prioritise drought-resistant agriculture and hybrid water systems combining rainwater harvesting with modern wastewater recycling.

The stakeholders should fund data-driven solutions. Complete the National Water Sector Policy’s goal of universal water access by 2030 by scaling the islandwide non-revenue water reduction programme. Expand saline intrusion monitoring and legislate water quotas for hotels during droughts to prioritise households and farms.

The scientists and technical bodies should consider localising innovation. People must conserve, harvest, and protect. Install rainwater catchment systems, report leaks, and plant trees to recharge aquifers.

Water resilience hinges on recognising that ecology, equity, and engineering are intertwined. Jamaica must act now: invest in infrastructure, empower communities, and heed science.

YANNICK PESSOA