A national baseline
The first parish-by-parish picture of microplastics in drinking water.
Projects Research
ResearchResearch proposal
Microplastics in Drinking Water
Measuring microplastics in raw and treated drinking water across Jamaica’s 14 parishes.
- Type
- Research
- Status
- Research proposal
- Where
- All 14 parishes
- Field
- Water quality
Overview
The study
Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are persistent pollutants with potential effects on human health. Little is known about how much reaches Jamaica’s drinking water.
This study measures microplastics in groundwater and surface water supplies across all 14 parishes, before and after treatment, to find where levels are lowest and which treatment processes remove them best.
Approach
How the study works
- 1
Sample raw and treated water from groundwater and surface sources in every parish.
- 2
Count and characterise the microplastics in each sample.
- 3
Compare how well different treatment processes remove them.
- 4
Map the results by parish and source.
Impact
What it will deliver
Treatment evidence
Which treatment processes work best.
Recommendations
Practical steps to improve water treatment and protect public health.
More work
Related projects
ResearchAedes Mosquito Distribution Mapping
Mapping which Aedes mosquito species occur across Kingston and St Andrew, and where.
View project
ResearchDrone Surveillance of Anopheles Breeding Sites
Using drones, multispectral imaging and machine learning to find and monitor mosquito breeding sites.
View project
ResearchRodent-borne Pathogens in the City
Investigating blood-borne pathogens in urban rodents, and how they could reach people.
View projectLet’s build smarter together
Whether you’re a public health agency, a university or a private enterprise, SynerGIS helps you turn data into action. We collaborate on research, build GIS systems and deliver solutions for Jamaica’s sustainable future.