CRIMINALS seeking ways to fund their underground operations have now turned their attention to the water delivery trade and are using questionable collection methods and tank systems to deliver the precious commodity to drought stricken communities, the Jamaica Observer has found out.

The illegal practice is not only placing the health of thousands of people at risk but has also brought into focus the pitfalls in the current system that is used to monitor what sources describe as a multimillion-dollar industry.

“Tanks that were used for other business are now being repainted and are being used to deliver water [and] there is nothing in place to clamp down on this practice,” one registered operator told the Sunday Observer.

A Sunday Observer investigation revealed that in the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew there are no systems in place to monitor the number of registered operators in the business. The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) stated last week that the Ministry of Health has recently drafted a public health regulation to address the issue surrounding the trucking of water — an indication that nothing was in place before.

“The Ministry of Health has drafted a Public Health Regulation for the trucking of water as there is currently no system in place. This will make registration mandatory for these trucks,” the SERHA official told the Sunday Observer.

But the registered operators have reacted in anger, claiming that criminals were exploiting the system and painting a bad image for those who were adhering to the rules and regulations that govern the industry. The operators have charged officials to tighten the system to prevent unscrupulous indiviuals from tainting the industry’s image.

“At this time serious checks need to be carried out before it’s too late. In some instances, where the unregistered operators are concerned, the only thing that differentiates the tanks that they use to deliver water to some communities from tanks that were used for ‘other purposes’ is the paint,” said one source.

The SERHA has stated that trucks were checked occassionally, highlighting that “…trucks that collect water from approved sources such as the National Water Commission (NWC) and wells licensed by the Water Resources Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Health for abstraction of water.”

“Presently, there is a system in place for the trucks that deliver water to the ‘water shops’ that retail water. These shops are required to ensure the water is from an approved source and also to conduct their own residual chlorine checks on the water that is purchased. The shops are required to be licensed by SERHA [or the] health departments and periodic monitoring of water and facilities is done by the Health Departments,” SERHA outlined.

But last week, as the health officials sought to address the issue, further checks by the Sunday Observer uncovered a growing practice whereby some illegal operators were visiting unapproved sites such as the area under the Ferry Bridge in St Catherine to collect water — a location is just metres away from the Ferry Police Station.

One registered operator said that, though his organisation does not adhere to this practice, some illegal operators use untreated water from rivers to fill trucks. “Mi supply health centre dem so di water dem haffi clean,” the operator outlined as he dismissed claims of unclean water.

The Sunday Observer probe has also revealed that for as little as $1,500 an individual can gain access to a truck that has a tank affixed. The individual can then purchase up to 4,000 gallons of water from areas that store the commodity. The water purchased is then sold back at much higher prices to unsuspecting customers.

“In some communities where there are no systems to inform persons of the regulated prices, customers are forced to pay up to $2,000 to fill a regular 600-gallon drum,” one operator told the Sunday Observer.

“Right now the operators charge me as much as $2,000 or more to fill a small drum,” said one resident who lives in Old Harbour, St Catherine.

“To fill a small drum, operators sometimes charge us as high as $2,000, and for a tank that holds a little over 650 gallons a little more,” one resident from the Linstead community said.

Richard Simpson, managing director of Tala-Water which supplies water to private operators and the NWC told the Sunday Observer: “The water is the cheapest commodity, the actual delivery is what is expensive.”

He explained that this is because the cost to maintain and operate the trucks can be expensive, outlining that the cost for one tyre ranges between $70,000 and $80,000.

To be issued certification to operate within the industry the operators have to ensure that they meet certain criteria stipulated by the health authority. The health authority outlined in its interaction with the Sunday Observer that among the regulations are that:

* Tanks, hoses and fittings are made of approved material that is non-toxic and were not previously used to transport toxic substances or sewage.

* Trucks being used must be scrubbed, flushed, inspected, disinfected, and tested for quality.

* Pumping equipment and plumbing must be flushed and disinfected prior to each use.

* The water collected for distribution is from approved sources.

* Pipes and fittings are handled and stored in a sanitary manner — all hoses must be stored off the ground, flushed thoroughly prior to use, and capped at both ends when not in use.

* Records, including quantity delivered, source delivered, customer name and address, date, time, and free chlorine residual, should be kept for six months.

* The receiving tank must be filled through an air gap.

* The tanks and fittings are washed and sanitised on a regular basis.

* Trucks such as milk, military water trucks, and others approved by the MoH may be used.

* All tanks will be filled and emptied through an air gap.

* All tank units must be covered and tightly sealed.

Last week, one unregistered operator said that after realising the potential earning that could be made he has since quit his job and has now gone full-time in the business of transporting water.