NWC Implementing Drought Mitigation Measures

The National Water Commission (NWC) has been implementing several measures to mitigate the impact of drought conditions currently impacting customers and the island’s water systems.

Acting NWC President, Kevin Kerr, outlined these during Wednesday’s (April 10) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

“We will increase water transfer. If it gets worse, we will transfer water from the Rio Cobre System in to the [Kingston and St. Andrew area, and] we’ll further do nightly adjustments. We will continue to do emergency trucking for areas that are not able to accommodate piped supply and, finally, will introduce wells to augment some existing sources,” he said.

Mr. Kerr added that the NWC has been granted a licence to utilise the recently drilled Montgomery Corner well, which helps to supply the adjacent areas of Cross Roads leading to downtown Kingston.

Meanwhile, he advised that restrictions to Kingston and St. Andrew’s water supply will be implemented, should the Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam water levels fall to 65 per cent.

As at April 9, the water level in the Mona Reservoir stood at 77.1 per cent, while the Hermitage Dam is at 79.1 per cent. The levels are posted daily on the Commission’s website.

Mr. Kerr indicated that 70 of the Commission’s 450 systems are currently being impacted by drought.

“We have increased the number of [water] trucking in these areas. We have also implemented schedules to intermittently serve our customer base in this period. The major systems that are impacted are the Logwood Water Treatment Plant, which serves both Hanover and Westmoreland; the Bulstrode Water Treatment Plant which serves Central Westmoreland; Mona Reservoir, KMA (Kingston Metropolitan Area) and Hermitage,” he informed.

The Acting President stated that pumping operations have been restored at the Minard Water Supply System, which was impacted for over a month.

“It is now operating at 60 per cent and we have boosted the supply by continuing to truck [water] to our customers, and we have [categorised] our health institutions and schools as high priority,” he said.

Mr. Kerr informed that during the last financial period, the NWC expended some $380 million for the trucking of water, “and we are projected in this drought period to spend $400 million”.

“In addition to the reducing inflows to our surface sources, we are projected to lose $2.1 billion in our revenue over the period,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kerr urged citizens and customers to report leaks to the Commission.

“Report abuse at fire hydrants… report illegal connections, and we are giving our commitment that we will be responsive in addressing your feedback once we receive them,” he said.

Additionally, the Acting President urged customers to continue to store and conserve water.