Contributed by the Jamaica Observer
The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) has shut down the irrigation system at the Rio Cobre in St Catherine as a precautionary measure following an oil spill last week.
According to the NIC, recent assessments have indicated potential risks to the quality of water in the river. By closing down the system, the NIC says it aims to guard against any potential adverse effects on crops and consumers.
Previously, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) said it had served an enforcement notice on Trade Winds Limited to clean up the immediate environment of the oil spill.
NEPA on Friday said a malfunctioning boiler from Trade Winds Citrus Limited was the source of an oil spill into the Rio Cobre in the vicinity of Bog Walk.
According to the agency, legal action against the company is to follow.
