Services
The major activities of the Water Resources Authority (WRA) include hydrologic data collection, compilation, and analysis; water resources investigation, assessment, and planning; water resources allocation; and environmental monitoring and impact assessment.
Resource Allocation
Water resources allocation is performed through the licensing of surface and underground water abstractions. To this end, the WRA processes well license applications, maintains a register of permits and licenses and strongly encourages the regularization of unlicensed abstraction. Prior to 1996, licenses were granted to drill and abstract water without expiration periods attached. However, with the passage of the Water Resources Act, separate licenses are valid for five (5) years.
The WRA also operates tele-logging equipment (down the hole video camera) which is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate the conditions of wells and make recommendations for rehabilitation of pumping wells to maintain and/or improve their operating efficiency.
Resource Assessment
The WRA participates in the development of national water and wastewater standards for Jamaica, conducts water quality assessments and studies islandwide, and participates in the Government of Jamaica’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review process. The WRA also develops procedures and mechanisms to prevent and mitigate against pollution of Jamaica’s surface water and underground water.
Resource Monitoring
The WRA routinely monitors streamflow at 133 river gauging stations and groundwater levels at 320 well sites throughout Jamaica.
The river gauging stations containing gauges that record the daily flow of the river at a particular point. There are 100 fully automatic gauges and 33 manual gauges used to collect streamflow data. Automatic gauges are housed in pipe wells and stilling wells across the island. The data obtained is compiled and analysed to produce information that is critical to planning for the development of bridges and water supply schemes.
Wells are measured monthly by WRA technicians. Three types of wells are included in our monthly measurement programme: Pumping wells, non-pumping wells and small diameter core holes. Records are kept of underground water levels and water abstractions. Long term underground (non-pumping) water level data is used to establish general flow directions of underground water.
Long term streamflow data is used (along with rainfall data) to forecast estimated future river flows and the potential likelihood of flooding along a river’s path.
Flood Monitoring and Assessment
The WRA prepares flood plain maps and collaborates with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in the declaration of Floodwater Control areas and gives approval for implementing structures to mitigate flood impacts. The WRA also coordinates the preparation and implementation of the Floodwater Control Master Plan and collaborates with the ODPEM in the identification of potential sites for early warning systems.
The WRA reviews flood impact assessments submitted by the National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA) and other agencies. The WRA also implements public education programmes on the nature of flooding and the impact of land-based activities on flooding.