NEPA refutes reports of new spill in Rio Cobre

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has refuted claims of a new spill in the Rio Cobre in St Catherine.

In a release, the agency said that about 8 a.m. yesterday, it received a video report that was being widely circulated of an alleged pollution incident along the Rio Cobre at Zephyrton, which is close to the Linstead area in St Catherine. The agency said that its pollution response team was immediately mobilised and assigned to investigate the veracity, or otherwise, of the report. The response team's investigations and assessments spanned as far north as the Pleasant Farm to Byndloss areas, and as far south terminating at Dam Head.

"Based on the findings of the investigations, NEPA has found no evidence of a pollution incident or any negative impact on the water body of the Rio Cobre," the release said. "The response team has identified the area where the video was allegedly recorded. This area displayed signs of impact, which is attributed to 'wash down' of residue from contaminated gullies from a previous spill/pollution incident."