Health department concerned about water quality in St. James

 

Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, has raised concerns about the quality of water being used in the parish. 

 

Ms. Lewis said springs, tributaries and other water sources have appeared since the storm. 

 

"We want to ensure that the populace of St. James is protected from waterborne diseases. So while it's really difficult for us at this time, during this catastrophe, to say to citizens 'Stop using these sources', what we're doing at the Health Department is to monitor these sources. We are actually conducting tests to determine the quality of the water. We are also conducting health education, and we're saying to persons, boil the water or add household bleach," she advised.

 

Ms. Lewis noted that water trucks have been harvesting water from untested sources, and urged the operators to contact the Health Department to ensure the distribution of clean and safe water. 

 

In the meantime, she said the Health Department will be collecting, testing and sending samples to Kingston for further analysis.