Samuda: No NWC permit issued for water parties

Water Minister Matthew Samuda has assured Jamaicans that no permits are being issued for water parties using National Water Commission (NWC) resources, responding to concerns over any perceived misuse of public water supplies during ongoing conservation efforts.

The assurance comes as the country continues to grapple with crippling drought conditions, resulting in the NWC imposing water prohibition orders across several parishes.

Concerns have been raised about the staging of water parties.

It has been highlighted that an event, “SOAK’D”, was held at the Mona Campus of The University of the West Indies last weekend and that another party, called “WET”, is being promoted for this coming weekend.

The matter was put to Samuda at today’s post-Cabinet media briefing, where he explained that water-use restrictions only apply to supplies from the NWC.

He said this therefore does not extend to private providers and that there would be no basis to withhold permits from organisers who engage in private arrangements.

“It [water prohibition restrictions] doesn't refer to privately procured water. Now, it may be immoral, but it's not illegal. And I don't know that the parish council would have a legal basis for rejection,” said Samuda.

“But to note, in the case of the UWI, the UWI is not supplied by National Water Commission. There's a private water supplier that uses the well in that area. So that would be a question really for the UWI in terms of their own management of their resources,” he continued.

He indicated that party organisers and other such individuals are required to present a purchase agreement to local municipal corporations when they are seeking permits.

“As it relates to other water parties that may or may not be happening, they would have to present a purchase agreement to whichever parish council, wherever that event is, to prove water sources. I believe there is one next week which actually has engaged NEPA [National Environment and Planning Agency] for the use of seawater in their event. So I'm not sure which event you're referring to, but I'm just saying that generally, whereas we would, we find it offensive that persons would want to have a water party, while there's such water scarcity, I don't know that the law prevents it. But they do have to present receipts or a purchase certificate for private water sources,” Samuda indicated.

- Karen Madden

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