AS parts of the island continue to experience drought, the Senate says it wants the Government to review existing water policy and insert a requirement for new housing development plans to include rainwater harvesting systems.

Approximately half of Jamaica is now being affected by worsening drought conditions, due to the current dry season which is approaching its halfway mark. Eight parishes have been experiencing drought conditions ranging from ‘normal’ to ‘severe’.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Robert Pickersgill, who received a report on the matter on February 27, has described the situation as alarming. He has promised to discuss it with the Cabinet to see how the delivery of potable water to affected areas could be improved.

The Senate motion, piloted by Opposition Senator Dr Christopher Tufton, noted that Jamaica suffers from drought conditions each year, resulting in adverse consequences for residential and commercial activities and costs the Government millions of dollars each year.

Dr Tufton said that based on population increase and global warming, global projections of fresh water resources are expected to come under increasing pressure in years to come and countries, like Jamaica, are particularly vulnerable to the impact of extreme weather patterns.

The motion called on the Senate asked for a review of the current water policy to mandate that future residential developments include the use of rainwater harvesters in the process of establishing a drought-resilient society.

Tufton noted that nearly a third of the country’s population does not have access to piped water and where it exists, due to limited catchment, storage, processing and distribution infrastructure and water lock-offs are routine during certain times of the year.

He also said that in addition, the National Water Commission (NWC) has major operational challenges largely due to lack of resources, and the commission’s infrastructure is old and has not kept pace with population increases.

“The NWC has a master plan, but no money to implement it. Given all these reasons, I am not convinced that we can depend on the NWC to solve the country’s water challenges in totality. In fact, given budget limitations and projections of reduced rainfall, it is imperative that we find other approaches to compliment, if not replace, our dependence on the NWC,” he said.

He was supported by Government member Senator Wensworth Skeffery, who said that every effort should be made in ensuring that the requirement is included in the new building code.

Senator Skeffery also noted that, in the past, residences were equipped with water tanks, but this has been affected by a cultural changes. He also recommended that the Capital Development Fund (CDF), which is funded by the bauxite levy, be used to address water problems in the mining areas, including Manchester and St Elizabeth.

“A vast amount of money is spent yearly from January to March on trucking water, but this is not the answer. We have to find a way to subsidise the use of water tanks,” Senator Skeffery said.

Opposition Senator Alexander Williams said that while the country has enough water to meet its needs, development of the supply has been done without concern for availability of water sources.

Government Senator Norman Grant said that it was scandalous that many persons had to depend on bottled water for drinking, including imported bottled water, when there is so much water available but not being harnessed and exploited.

Meanwhile, Opposition member Robert Montague felt that the rainwater-harvesting policy should be extended to include developments which have already been constructed. He also suggested that the National Environmental Planning Agency ensure that rainwater-harvesting systems be included in all its building approvals.

The motion was passed with the full approval of the House after a minor amendment.