NWC warns water party promoters - Events must follow current Prohibition Notice

The National Water Commission (NWC) has issued notice that any water parties that breach the current Prohibition Notice by using water supplied by the entity, will be prosecuted.

The Prohibition Notice is in effect as water supply sources islandwide continue to dwindle due to continued drought conditions.

Acting Corporate Public Relations Manager at the NWC Delano Williams confirmed that water parties are not exempt from the tight measures that are in effect to preserve the precious commodity.

" Yes, the prohibition ban would apply to any activity that is not deemed as essential, drinking, washing, cooking, bathing, general sanitation," he said.

"Persons found in breach of the Prohibition Notice will be liable to a fine upon conviction and failure to pay this fine will result in imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days," he added.

He explained that the NWC will be monitoring activities islandwide through its various field teams.

"The teams will be on high alert as we seek to maintain the prohibition order at a critical time when water is in short supply and it is quite critical to save every drop," he said.

Popular party promoter Fabian Lawless reasoned that water parties are not the cause of the water shortage.

"We should put the blame at the feet of the people not effectively managing the water supply, the NWC and by extension the government, for not doing what's necessary to expand the catchment areas/facilities," he reasoned.

He also pointed out that it is common practice for promoters of water events to source water from private companies and not depend on the NWC.

"The water supply companies we usually use had several sources from which they could source water. To the best of my knowledge, it was always from private sources. Seeing that, we had to go through some extensive scrutiny to get approval, which we got. It was clear they were satisfied with the checks they made," he said.

In a media release, the NWC outlined that although May is historically Jamaica's secondary peak rainfall month, the rainfall being received after several months of drought is still well below normal, very sporadic and limited in geographic spread.

Among the worst affected water supply systems are the island's two largest ones, Mona and Hermitage/Constant Spring, where storage levels continue to fall to below 33 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively. This, despite restriction measures imposed earlier this year.