JISCO Alpart to host community meeting to discuss ongoing water distribution & dust pollution problems

Jamaica-based bauxite/alumina producer JISCO Alpart’s meeting with community leaders, political and stakeholder representatives is scheduled today, April 29, at 11:00 am at the JISCO Alpart Sports Club in Nain. The agenda of the meeting is to discuss ongoing problems relating to water distribution and dust pollution.

Residents have been hugely complaining about the negative effects of dust pollution, as well as the inadequate distribution of water to communities close to the plant.

The first phase of the Essex Valley water scheme, however, is now said to be nearing completion. This water scheme was first launched in 2001 as a partnership between the Jamaican Government and Alpart to provide piped water from the National Water Commission to residents in communities close to the plant.

But according to a report, this scheme will bypass local residents in the first phase and provide water to the fast-growing town of Junction instead. This has further spurred anger among local residents.

Residents closest to the Alpart refinery also pointed out that the water scheme was initially started because the storage water was getting contaminated by industrial pollutant from bauxite/alumina operations.

For decades, Alpart delivered portable, trucked water to residents around the refinery and in mining communities. According to Keane, Alpart provides communities with 300,000 gallons of water daily.