Wastewater Treatment

The National Water Commission is the primary provider of wastewater or sewage services in Jamaica and collects wastewater from over 700,000 persons across the island. As more connections are made to recently completed systems in Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Soapberry, and in sections of Kingston and St. Andrew, the number of persons served will continue to increase.   The NWC helps to ensure Jamaica’s environmental health by collecting, treating and disposing of wastewater from the following sources:

• Domestic Sources

This includes Black water, which is water that contains faecal matter (from toilets and latrines); and Grey water, which is used water from washbasins and   kitchen and bathroom sinks. 

• Industrial Sources

Used water from both heavy and light commercial entities.

• Storm Water

Runoff water from rains. In Jamaica storm water should not be allowed to flow into the wastewater sewers, although it is known to happen.

• Infiltration

Water that gets into the system, often but not only from storm water.

The types of sewage treatment facilities used in Jamaica include oxidation ditch, activated sludge, waste stabilization pond and primary treatment. About 50% of all sewage treated by the NWC is done to secondary levels or higher.
 
There are many different ways of treating sewage but the most appropriate method for a particular area needs to be determined after careful consideration. Some of the most popular treatment methods include the use of waste stabilization ponds as well as mechanical processes that include the use of percolating filters or activated sludge.

While a variety of these systems exist in Jamaica the National Water Commission utilizes waste stabilization ponds wherever possible. This is so because waste stabilization ponds use natural processes and therefore have lower maintenance and operating costs. These ponds are also less susceptible to breakdowns and are very effective in achieving effluent quality standards.

Despite the varying methods, wastewater treatment processes are generally classified as taking the wastewater through four stages or levels. They are:

	Preliminary
	Primary
	Secondary
	Tertiary