The opposition has condemned the National Water Commission (NWC) for the decision to halt its provision of water quality test results to the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC). 

Yesterday, Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby announced that the KSAMC was formally informed of the NWC’s decision.

He said it came after Councillor Jesse James Clarke, who is also the Junior Opposition Spokesman on Health, moved a resolution in which he called for an end to the distribution of water that does not meet health standards, citing risks to people.

He had raised concern about alleged contaminated water being supplied by the NWC to customers, especially those in rural St. Andrew.

However, the NWC maintained that its water is safe for consumption.

Yesterday, Mayor Swaby disclosed that since the resolution was passed, the NWC has not attended any meeting of the corporation’s public health and sanitation committee.

In a statement today, opposition spokesman on water Ian Hayles stressed that citizens have a right to real-time information on issues impacting their health and environment.

He is calling on the NWC to resume sharing water quality reports with the KSAMC.

Mr. Hayles wants water minister Matthew Samuda to address the issue.

In response, Samuda said the NWC has no legal obligation to provide the KSAMC with water quality reports, but the commission will be seeking to publish all reports, so that members of the public can access them.