Samuda Warns Backyard Pits Could Pollute Jamaica’s Drinking Water

Water Minister Matthew Samuda is again warning that backyard pits can create serious problems for Jamaica’s water resources, especially where waste seeps into groundwater.

He said elevated nitrate levels may move from those pits into water sources used for drinking. Backyard pits, septic tanks and sewage discharge sites all hold effluent, and any leakage into potable supplies can pose a threat to people’s health.

Samuda noted that climate change is already affecting the country’s water system, including through drought conditions. He said polluted drinking water would make that challenge harder to manage and would turn an environmental concern into a financial burden as well.

The minister said the Government is working to improve how effluent is stored and treated through newer sewage infrastructure. He pointed to the upgrade of the Soapberry wastewater treatment plant as one of those measures.

Samuda made the comments yesterday at the Rotaract District 7020 Nexus 360 Conference in Trelawny.