A research study will be conducted by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to examine the environmental impacts of reverse osmosis technology which is currently used to turn salt water into potable water at 13 plants across the island.

The $61-million-dollar project will be done through a grant agreement signed between NEPA and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) last Wednesday. The USTDA is an independent agency of the US Government to advance economic development and US commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.

CEO of NEPA Leonard Francis told the Jamaica Observer that waste from the water purification process, which comprises other minerals and substances, is either injected into the ground or redeposited into the sea. However, the impacts of this process are uncertain.

“We do not know what impacts this material will have on our ecosystem so what we want to do is that we want to study the plants, see what is happening, how it is the waste is impacting the surrounding areas, and to see how we can strengthen our regulatory actions,” said Francis.

“We could have a scenario where we inject deep into the ground and because we are limestone it could actually be going places that we don’t want it to go. Then, even though it’s sea water you’re taking out, you’re now putting in a greater concentration [back] into the sea water and we don’t know if it will impact the existing marine life or otherwise so that’s what it is basically about,” he said.

“It could be a scenario where as it hits the water it diffuses immediately so you don’t have an issue, but suppose it does not diffuse immediately, it could go into your coral reefs, it could go in anywhere. The good thing is that when we are processing [the plants] we don’t allow them to be near those sources, but then you cannot be 100 per cent sure,” he added.

Francis stated that while there are currently no signs of environmental impacts, the only way to be 100 per cent certain is to conduct a study on the areas surrounding these plants and use the results to improve the regulatory framework.

He further noted that most if not all reverse osmosis plants in Jamaica are utilised by the hotel and construction industries to ensure reliable and consistent water supply which poses a potential issue.

“We’re expecting a massive boom right now in the construction industry and in tourism. If every single one of them decides to put in a reverse osmosis plant, you have to now multiply the likely impact. Now we look okay, but you have to do the scenario planning,” he stressed, thanking the USTDA for its continued support to address these matters.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Senator Matthew Samuda, speaking on the effects of climate change and drought on Jamaica, said that it is drastically impacting the day-to-day management of the country’s water sector, making it challenging to provide stable, reliable, potable and irrigation water.

“I believe that through this study we’ll be able to develop the standards and best practices and perhaps even some guidance for private sector who from time-to-time invest in these systems to ensure that we’re able to solve the broader developmental challenge and actually allow us to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) six and vision 2030 by ensuring we are able to employ desalination where its necessary,” said Samuda.

Delivering his remarks at the signing ceremony, United States Ambassador to Jamaica N Nickolas Perry stated that the collaboration underscores the United States and Jamaica’s shared goal of advancing environmental safety and sustainable management of water resources. He further stated that it strengthens the strong relationship between the countries as they aim for successful resilience against climate change.

“I am proud to work with USTDA on this important initiative to bring the Jamaican people enhanced access to clean water that is critical to personal health, economic development and prosperity,” said the ambassador.

“I would like to commend NEPA for its proactive approach in embracing cutting edge technology and fostering regulatory frameworks that balances innovation with environmental responsibility,” he said.

Lambrini Kolios, country manager for the Andean region and Caribbean at the USTDA, in her remarks, shared that the signing of the grant follows a 2022 virtual workshop hosted by the USTDA for Jamaican partners to showcase innovative US water and waste water solutions like reverse osmosis technology.

“This assistance is very timely as the impacts of climate change and recent severe weather events have demonstrated the vulnerability and increased scarcity of water resources,”said Kolios.

“Through USTDA’s assistance we have the unique opportunity to help solve the pressing challenges through innovative water solutions that support Jamaica’s industries and economy while preserving its ecological environment, and most importantly ensuring a better future for the Jamaican people,” she said.