Health officials in St Ann say they will investigate the source of contamination of an area of seawater in the Seacrest area of Priory.

A video received by the Jamaica Observer on Thursday shows the discoloured area of water.

Chief public health inspector in the parish Leroy Scott said his team will be moving with urgency to locate the source of the pollution.

“Based on what we have seen on the video, the Public Health Department will endeavour to have the matter investigated during the course of today (Thursday) to determine the source of this contamination of water body leading to the sea,” said Scott.

“As soon as we have details on the source and any level of contamination that would have taken place, we will further advise,” he added.

The Observer was told that the area where the body of water is located was once used by an old sugar factory to deposit waste.

“That area of water has always had a dark colour, but that red colour I’m seeing on the video is quite alarming. I will be doing some investigation myself to find out what is happening,” Councillor Dallas Dickenson (Jamaica Labour Party, St Ann’s Bay Division) told the Observer.