THE National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), has served an Enforcement Notice on the National Water Commission (NWC) for the alleged discharge of improperly treated trade effluent from a sewer main on North Street, Kingston.

The sewer main empties into a gully that discharges into the Kingston Harbour, as shown in the photographs below.

“The discharge of improperly treated trade effluent into the environment poses a serious threat to the health of persons in communities in the vicinity, as well as to the natural resources within the Kingston Harbour,” said a statement from NEPA.

The Notice was served on Friday, December 31, under Section 18 of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act. As a condition of the notice, the NWC is required to immediately prevent further discharge.

However, NEPA reported that the state-owned water utility has so far failed to comply.

“The NWC has failed to comply with the Enforcement Notice. The Agency is taking steps to prepare Summons for court action against the NWC for its failure to heed the requirements of the Enforcement Notice as well as for breaches under the Wild Life Protection Act,” said the agency.

Members of the public are being asked to provide information which may assist NEPA in taking action against environmental polluters by calling 1-888-991-5005, 478-7957, 119 or reporting to the nearest police station.

Look out for our Environment Watch supplement, free in your copy of the Observer newspaper every last Wednesday of the month…