More Water for Residents in St. Elizabeth

The Burnt Savannah/Knoxwood Water Supply System, in St. Elizabeth, was officially commissioned into service on October 30, by Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill.

This project was carried out by the National Water Commission (NWC) at a cost of  $59.6 million.

The  new system is expected to provide improved and reliable water supply to over 3,000 customers in several areas, including Lower Burnt Savannah, Knoxwood, Orange Grove, Exeter and Building Lane.

In his address, Mr. Pickersgill informed that the upgraded water  project was one of seven  currently being undertaken by the Rural Water Upgrading Programme within the parish.

“Although we are behind schedule, we expect to complete 26 projects in the parishes of Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Clarendon, St. Mary and Hanover.  These projects will be implemented at a collective cost of $1.8 billion.  These projects represent the continued commitment of this administration to improve critical water supplies across the length and breadth of this island,” the Minister said.

“This administration cannot afford the luxury of slowing down in the effort to provide Jamaicans with potable water and so in spite of the fiscal constraints the nation faces, the work continues apace,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Minister is  urging residents to conserve water, as the outlook  for rainfall up to December, and for the expected dry season from December through to March, is not positive.

Mr. Pickersgill is also imploring persons not to utilize slash and burn techniques when clearing land for farming.  “Indeed, our precious water supplies should not be used to extinguish bush fires,” the Minister said.