Sunday, July 12, 2020

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2020 7 JAMAICA WELLS AND SERVICES 50TH ANNIVERSARY T HEWATER ResourcesAuthority (WRA), is tasked with the man- agement of Jamaica’s fresh- water resources, and stand at the forefront in facing the challenges to meet ever increasing demand. By now, it is widely accepted that global warming, will exacerbate these challenges, and further- more, that the primary indicator of less rain and higher temperatures will be even lower river flows and groundwater levels. There appears to be a slight decline in total rainfall when compared to previous years, and climate change impacts are projected to have a severe decline in rainfall and a steady increase in evapotranspiration by 2080, leading to a significant decline in the island’s available water resources. Steps must be taken to reserve water resources and sooner, rather than later, consideration must be given to the unconventional measures of resource capture. The freshwater that is abstracted across Jamaica, is used for com- mercial, domestic and irrigation purposes, yielding such diverse products as food stock, chemicals, electricity, and concrete to cook, wash and clean. These are all life en- hancing or life sustaining products. Under the current water produc- tion and use scenario, it is clear that the operations have been widely promoted and accepted as linear, with the ultimate challenge being to safely dispose of the used water. This used water, known as waste- water, is seen as the end-product of the operation. However, in an alter- native scenario, it is not farfetched to consider the wastewater as a by-product, as opposed to an end product. Therefore, it would become available for onward use, and would support an ever-expanding circular process. Current environmental require- ments stipulate that wastewater must be treated to a particular standard, usually to a tertiary level, prior to disposal. This means that it must be brought to such a state that when it is released into the environment, it is biologically ac- cepted by all other fresh (or salt) water organisms This is because if the unchecked wastewater is to be There is ‘water’ in wastewater! Peter Clarke, managing director – WRA. JAMAICAWELLS & Services Ltd’s list of award recipients for July 2020 in recognition of their distinguished and dedicated service to the company. List of award recipients Outstanding Employee Service Award: Craig Batchelor Employee of the Year: O’Neil Robinson Distinguished Service: Keith Reid Customer Service Award: Angela Bailey Years of Service: Errol Stephens Top Performers: Paul Davis; Rohan Castello; Oswald Blackwood Diamond Award: Shereen Simpson Platinum Award: Andrea Turnbull President’s Award: Richard Simpson Award of Excellence: Windward Lawrence Most Valuable Customer Award: 1. National Water Commission 2. National Irrigation Commission 3. Caribbean Broilers Group 4. Eppley Ltd 5. Wisynco Group Ltd PLEASE SEE WATER , 10