Jamaicans Urged to Take Meaningful Steps to Help Promote Water Equity

The Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change is encouraging Jamaicans to take simple but meaningful steps within their homes and communities to help promote water inclusivity and equity, as the country works towards its sustainable water management goals.

Senior Director in the Water Policy and Monitoring Branch of the Ministry, Talia Gibson, told JIS News that individuals have a vital role to play at the community level in protecting and sustaining the nation’s water resources.

She noted that everyday actions can significantly reduce water wastage and improve availability for future generations.

“Persons can do rainwater harvesting within their homes. They can also implement conservation measures, such as installing water-saving devices on pipes, which will help reduce wastage and leakage,” she said.

She further emphasised the importance of addressing household leaks.

“If your pipe is leaking, please fix it. Every drop counts because you’re losing water,” Ms. Gibson said.

She also highlighted practical water-use habits that can make a difference, pointing to simple lifestyle changes.

“[When] taking a shower, wet up, turn off the water, soap, turn it on, rinse off. When you keep the water running, we lose gallons of water, and that could be provided for you for future use or for other persons as well,” she explained.

Ms. Gibson stressed that community engagement is central to building long-term water sustainability, underscoring the importance of education and awareness, particularly among young people.

“The community level of engagement is very important. Hence the reason we tend to focus on children because they are the upcoming generation who will create the new communities,” she said.

Managing Director of the Water Resources Authority, Peter Clarke, shared with JIS News the call for greater public awareness, urging Jamaicans to broaden their understanding of water as a vital and multifaceted resource.

He explained that while many people recognise rivers, wells, pumps, and rainfall as water sources, more attention will be paid to how water is managed and retained.

“Moves will be made… to capture more surface water runoff, so that it doesn’t just go to the sea,” Mr. Clarke said.

He further pointed to future efforts to improve water resilience through better use of wastewater, explaining that it can help preserve fresh water supplies for domestic use.

Mr. Clarke added that wastewater could also play a greater role in agriculture, reducing the use of pristine freshwater for farming.

“We’re using, currently, a lot of freshwater for agricultural purposes. We’ve been looking to use, for instance, in the St. Elizabeth area, water directly from the Black River, which you don’t have to treat for farming. So, the water that’s now being used for farming in that area, which is well water, can be reserved,” he said.