Community Water Filters Commissioned in Westmoreland

Two community water filtration facilities were recently commissioned in Westmoreland to improve access to potable water in communities that have faced long-standing challenges.

The initiative was undertaken through a partnership involving GlobalMedic, community partner Rosa Young, and the Westmoreland Public Health Department.

Health Promotion and Education Officer at the Westmoreland Public Health Department, Gerald Miller, told JIS News that the units were installed at the Pan- Caribbean Sugar Factory and the Blauwearie Primary and Infant School compound in the parish.

“The facilities will serve up to 3,000 people with potable water,” Mr. Miller said.

He explained that residents in the area [Blauwearie], have traditionally relied on rainwater harvesting or purchasing water “so this is a very timely intervention.”

Mr. Miller said the initiative forms part of a coordinated response between GlobalMedic and the Westmoreland Public Health Department to reduce the public-health risks associated with unsafe water sources, particularly following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

“This will help minimise the likelihood of people having diarrhoeal diseases from drinking contaminated water,” he said, noting that access to safe water is critical in preventing outbreaks at the community level.

The commissioning of the community filters builds on an earlier intervention in which approximately 270 household water-purification kits were distributed to residents of Frome, through a partnership between GlobalMedic and the Westmoreland Public Health Department.

The distribution targeted households most affected by flooding and disruptions to regular water supply following the hurricane.

The kits include a gravity-fed filtration system designed to remove harmful bacteria and viruses, along with hygiene supplies and solar lighting, providing families with a practical solution for accessing safe drinking water.

Mr. Miller lauded the continued collaboration with GlobalMedic and community partner Rosa Young, citing her role in facilitating the installation of both household and community-level filtration systems.

In addition to the water-filter initiatives, the Westmoreland Public Health Department is coordinating targeted relief efforts in Beeston Spring, where elderly residents and persons with disabilities have been identified for tailored assistance.

Mr. Miller said these interventions form part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and reduce the risk of water-borne illnesses across the parish.