Residents of communities in St. Catherine South East will soon have improved access to potable water, sewerage and irrigation services, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Water Commission (NWC) and Can-Cara Development Limited (CDL). Under the agreement, Can-Cara will provide the infrastructure needed for the conveyance of residential and commercial sewage from agreed existing...

The National Water Commission’s (NWC) profitability will result in further upgrading and expansion projects in communities islandwide, says Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda. “My job… is to ensure that the NWC gets the resources required to put in place the infrastructure. Some of it can be self-financed, and...

Installation of new solar panels at the Beacon E pump station in St. Elizabeth by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) to improve water distribution will be a major boost for farmers, says Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. Speaking in the community of Beacon Little Park, where the commissioning of the solar panels took place on April...

The National Water Commission (NWC) is giving consideration to providing the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) with access to treated wastewater to fight fires. This will ensure that water remains available to the nation’s firefighting unit, particularly during periods of drought. “With these NWC facilities now operating at increased volumes, treated wastewater could assist greatly in fighting fires, while allowing for...

Residents of St. Ann who have been adversely impacted by drought conditions affecting the island should get some relief in short order. The St. Ann Municipal Corporation has received a $4-million allocation from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation to commence the trucking of water to drought-affected communities in the parish. Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Councillor Sydney...

Jamaica will commemorate World Water Day on Wednesday (March 22), an annual observation initiated by the United Nations (UN). This year’s theme is ‘Accelerating Change – Water, Changing Behaviour and Lives’. It coincides with the UN’s sustainable development goal number six, which is to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. The objective is to achieve this by 2030....

In light of the prevailing drought impacting the parish, the Health Education Unit of the Westmoreland Public Health Department is urging citizens to practise proper water safety measures to prevent gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and fever, which usually last 24 to 72 hours. Health Promotion and Education...