Dear Editor,

The perpetual discharge of waste into the Rio Cobre, which is a substantial source of potable water, constitutes a blatant infringement of the Public Health Act of Jamaica. As such there is no need to recite beatitudes to the management of this alumina treatment plant.

The Ministry of Health has the power to serve notice to have the plant closed until the problem of waste disposal is corrected to the satisfaction of the Public Health Department.

I heard Prime Minister Andrew Holness declaring that he will speak on the matter in due course.

We don't need to hear empty talk from the Government. All we need is to have a notice served to close the plant immediately. We seem to be stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire with several government agencies having responsibility for the same health problems, but none takes the initiative to have them solved with alacrity.

I wish to advise the aggrieved public to continue their strident protest against the pollution of this central source of water and fishing, which is indeed a vital industry, providing jobs and protein for a large segment of Jamaica's population.

This current problem has resulted in unnecessary expenditure to provide alternative sources of water for public consumption, not to mention the gross inconvenience to so many people dependent on this vital commodity.

JD Wood

Public health specialist

jafname@yahoo.com