KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, has indicated that feasibility studies are being conducted in St Thomas and Clarendon to assess the viability of potential desalination projects.

Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to produce freshwater suitable for drinking, agriculture and industrial use.

Responding to questions during a Ministerial Interview with Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Chief Executive Officer, Giovanni Dennis, at the ministry’s offices on Half-Way Tree Road in St Andrew on Wednesday, Samuda noted that desalination is not being considered as a nationwide solution due to its high cost and potential environmental impacts.