Jamaica has called for increased financing, technology transfer, capacity building and technical support to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) strengthen ocean governance and advance the sustainable development of their blue economies. Speaking at the recent Island States Ocean Summit (ISOS) in Japan, Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Matthew Samuda, highlighted the importance of marine and coastal ecosystems...

A coordinated, multi agency initiative is to be launched to assess the extent of damage to water systems in St. Ann. Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says St. Ann’s municipal water systems sustained significant damage during Hurricane Melissa, making thorough assessments a critical first step towards restoring and strengthening the parish’s water supply. “The current...

The National Water Commission (NWC) is ramping up preparation for the upcoming 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, drawing on major lessons learned from the severe impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, to strengthen the agency’s resilience and response capacity. Acting Vice President of Operations at the NWC, Herman Fagan, highlighted at a recent JIS Think Tank that, based on the Commission’s...

Residents of Stepney in St. Ann will soon have more reliable access to potable water following the groundbreaking and contract signing for a rainwater catchment tank on Friday (May 22). The $140 million project will include the installation of a 180,000-gallon concrete tank by Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL). Construction is slated to begin on June 1, 2026, and is...

The National Water Commission (NWC) is undertaking several major capital projects aimed at reducing non revenue water (NRW), while enhancing supply reliability and expanding national access to the commodity. These projects include the completion of the new Rio Cobre Water Treatment Plant, the continuation of the Western Water Resilience Programme, the Ferry to Rock Pond Water Supply Improvement Project, the...

National Water Commission (NWC) customers in St. Mary are being assured that reported leaks will be attended to in the shortest possible time, with major areas and essential services taking priority. Distribution Team Leader at NWC St. Mary, Everton Davis, updated Tuesday’s (May 19) Infrastructure and Traffic Management Committee meeting of the St. Mary Municipal Corporation on when several of...

The National Water Commission (NWC) is advancing upgrades and targeted assessments of major water and sewerage infrastructure, with an investment plan that is focused on improving resilience, treatment capacity, and continuity of service. Acting President of the NWC, Kevin Kerr, informed a JIS Think Tank on May 12, that several projects are under way in and around the Corporate Area...