The countries of the Caribbean from Jamaica in the North to Trinidad in the South are facing the worst drought in decades. Throughout March, the Antillean will cover the water crisis in the region, causes, complications and the regional response. The article below, carried by the Jamaica Gleaner, shows how thirsty communities are being sold untreated water by private suppliers in Jamaica.

A Sunday Gleaner investigation has revealed that three of the untreated water sources being frequented by the water trucks failed a standard bacteria test known in environmental health circles as multiple-tube fermentation.

The results revealed that scores of residents have been drinking dirty water that looks clean.

In the meantime, public health officials are warning that the country is dangerously perched on the edge of an outbreak of water-borne diseases if the relevant authorities do not find a way to lock off the dirty practice.

As the drastic drought conditions continue to grip the island and the need for potable water mounts, unscrupulous persons are selling bacteria-infested water drawn from untreated sources to unsuspecting residents …continue

Article and photo credit to Tyrone Reid, Sunday Gleaner. Content originally published by, and copyright to, the Jamaica Gleaner, March 14, 2010.

Antillean · Bridgetown, Barbados

The Antillean is a pan-Caribbean nonprofit media outlet, covering news, features and opinions on social issues in the Caribbean region and the wider Americas. Our mission is to encourage conversation on, and enhance the visibility of, social currencies within the hemisphere – issues which are often underreported in the mainstream media.

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