74 Water Projects Under Way

A total of 74 capital projects are currently under way between the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Rural Water Supply Limited across the country.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, made the disclosure while speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing, held at Jamaica House on November 27.

He said the projects will result in improved and a “more reliable water supply to over 400,000 persons over the next 12 to 18 months”.

“That does not include our CDB (Caribbean Development Bank)-funded projects, which we also expect to go into overdrive, which will see the single largest investment in rural water supply in Jamaica in the first quarter of next year,” Mr. Samuda said.

“But all of that aside, all of the investment that is required to realise our national ambition for water supply has to be underpinned, that while realising this ambition, our citizens must have access to potable water where it is already possible and must have the dignity and the ability to pay their bills,” he added.

The National Water Commission is to implement a three-month amnesty for customers, commencing January 2, 2025.

The amnesty is for customers who have been disconnected for debts to the NWC for two years or more, who are pensioners or who are assessed as being in need, based on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiary identification standards.