Introduction

Overview Of Issue:

In the small community of Slipe, people tend to dispose of garbage, crab shells and sea shells
in the river; this water is sometimes used for cooking, washing, recreation, bathing and farm
irrigation. This poses a threat to person's health as well as the environment.

Problem Statement:

Disposing of waste materials in the river in the Slipe community causes negative effects on
the environment, the health of the people as well as their social and economic lives.

Research Objective:

To evaluate the effects of water pollutants on the residents of Slipe as well as the
environment.

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 Methodology:
The members of the group unanimously voted to use a questionnaire as the group’s method
of data collection as it is convenient and is easy to capture all areas of focus. A total of 20
questionnaires will be distributed. It is expected to receive billable feedback from at least 18
participants within 2 days.

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 Presentation of Data

Figure 1.1 Pie chart showing the percentage of the average number of years the participants
have been residents of the Slipe district.

Figure 1.2 Bar graph showing the percentage of the use of the river.

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Figure1.3 Doughnut graph showing whether or not the river is being preserved.

Figure1.4 Bar graph showing the effects of waste material on plant life in and around the
river.

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Figure 1.5 Pie chart showing the effects of waste material on aquatic species.

Table showing the most common waterborne diseases in Slipe.

Most common waterborne Percentage

diseases in Slipe
Dengue 65%
Malaria 2%
Typhoid -
Diarrhea 25%
Other 3%
Figure 1.6 Table showing the most common waterborne diseases among residents in the Slipe
area.

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 Figure 1.7 Bar graph showing the responses of how to improve the river’s
environment.

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

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 It is illustrated in the pie chart of figure 1.1, that the majority of the residents which is

equivalent to 50% has lived in Slipe over 16 years while 25% has been living there between

11-15 years, 15% between 6-10 years and 10% has been living there between 1-5 years.

There are many uses of the river, however, it has been depicted in figure 1.2 of a column

graph that 30% of the respondents uses the river for recreational purposes, 50% uses it for

domestic purposes while the remaining 20% uses the river water for farming purposes. The

question was asked, is the river being preserved? It is depicted in a doughnut graph that 85%

of the respondents have replied with a no with the remaining 25% opposing with a yes.

Figure 1.4, a bar graph encapsulates that 15 of the 20 respondents believe that plant life has

decreased in and around the river due to improper garbage disposal while 4 of the 20

mentions that they have seen an increase in plant life going alongside a neutral number of 1

respondent saying there has been no effects. Another important question was asked, what are

the effects of improper garbage disposal on aquatic species? It is shown on a pie chart in

figure 1.5 that 80% of the respondents say that the aquatic life has decreased and another

15% has said that they have seen an increase in aquatic species with the remaining 5% saying

they have noticed no changes.

In order to capture how residents are also affected the question, what are the most

common waterborne diseases in Slipe? The responses are demonstrated in a table in figure

1.6, 65% saying that Dengue is the most common waterborne disease in the area, Diarrhea

being 25%, Malaria being 2% and other being 3%. The most concerning question was asked,

how can the river’s environment be improved? Figure 1.7 a bar graph shows that 15% of the

respondents believe that a fine should be implemented, 10% believes that the river should be

cleaned weekly, 7% believes that residents should be sensitized and informed about the

proper disposal of garbage with the majority of 68% saying that all of the aforementioned

would be most effective.

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Conclusion

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 Disposing of waste materials in the river in the Slipe community causes negative

effects on the environment, the health of the people as well as their social and economic lives.

The statement above was confidently put forward based on the study done using the

questionnaire in this assignment. The river is not being preserved as it is supposed to which

causes on going effects such as water borne diseases, a decrease in plant and aquatic life in

and around the river as well as less people using the river for recreational and farming

purposes.

Recommendation

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 The members of the community should unite and make strides towards improving the

river’s environment. The first step is that they should commit to disposing their waste

material in the correct manner, using the voice of the residents as portrayed in the analysis of

data, a fine should be implemented for those who choose to dispose their garbage in the river

and around the river bank should be cleaned weekly.

Reflection

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 I learnt that water pollution is the altercation of fresh water by humans’ pollutants, so

that it is no longer suitable for their needs. Disposing of waste material in the river does a

great deal of harm more than good on not only the environment but the species and the

residents in and around the area. I am now aware that the most common water borne diseases

as a result of the improper disposal of waste in the river are Dengue, Malaria and Diarrhea.

I have gained the understanding from a Gleaner article published in 2014 by the title

‘Jamaica is swimming in garbage’ that Jamaicans are implored to understand how the little

things they do on land, can have such a big negative impact in places far removed and

sometimes not so far, such as the rivers, gullies and seas. I can definitely say that this study

has engendered me to be as thoughtful as possible whenever it comes on to disposing garbage

no matter how small or simple.

The project could be improved by collecting information from residents about a well

preserved river that may have been nearby to the river studied to compare and differentiate

the similarities and differences with which would have given more effective ideas as it relates

to maintaining and nursing the river and its surrounding environment to its best possible state.

Bibliography

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Human and Social Biology for CSEC Examinations 6 th Edition, Gadd, Phil, Macmillan 2009

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20140825/jamaica-swimming-garbage

Questionnaire
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This questionnaire will be used to collect data for a Human and Social School Based
Assessment. No personal information will be collected. All responses are confidential. In
the event that you are not comfortable to answer a question you can definitely express
that as no obligation is expected. Please tick the answers which apply to you and, if your
response is other, feel free to write out your response. Thank you in advance for
participating.

Best regard,

Carliann Jones and Molisha Samuels

1. How long have you been a resident of the Slipe district?

o 1-5 years

o 6-10 years

o 11-15 years

o Over 16 years

2. How often do you visit the river in the community?

o Never

o Every day

o Every week

o Every Month

Other:

3. On average, how many people visit the river from what you have noticed?

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o 1-5

o 5-10

o 10-20

o 20 or more

4. What purpose do you use the river for?

o Recreation

o Domestic

o Farming

Other:

5. Do you think the river is being well kept and preserved?

o Yes

o No

Why?

6. What are the effects of disposing garbage in the river on plant life?

o Plants have lessened along the river

o Plant life has increased

o No effects

7. What are the effects of disposing garbage in the river on aquatic life in

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 the river?

o Aquatic species has lessened

o Aquatic species has increased

o No effects

8. Have you or anyone you know caught any water borne diseases?

o Yes

o No

9. If yes to the previous question, what is the most common water borne
disease in and around the area?

o Dengue

o Malaria

o Typhoid

o Diarrhea

Other:

10. How long do you think it will take to groom the river and get it back
to its former glory?

o 1-2 years

o 3-5 years

o 6-10 year

o Other

11. What can be done to improve the river’s environment?

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o Clean around the environment weekly

o Inform and sensitize people about proper garbage dispose

o Implement a fine for people who dispose of their garbage in the river

Other:

12. If the river is returned to its former glory, what are the steps that you
would suggest to take in other to maintain it?

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