Constant Spring Water Treatment 95 Percent Complete

The refurbishing of the Constant Spring Water Treatment Plant, Stony Hill, under the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWSIP), is 95 per cent complete.

The project, which is being undertaken at a cost of US$10 million, includes the construction of new basins and reagents, additional systems for pre-treatment and refurbishing intakes such as values, flow metres. It is expected to be completed in March.

During a tour of the facility on Friday (January 20), Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, said it will significantly enhance the quality of life of thousands of residents. He added that many residents are now getting regular water supply, and others will benefit from improvements underway or to come.

“In the recent past, you would have had lock offs here and there, but I am told that will diminish and probably will come to an end in another month (or so),” he said, commending the contractors for the work they have done.

“It will send water to as far as Spanish Town Road, Half-Way Tree, Norbrook, Cherry Gardens, Stony Hill, Havendale, Manor Park, Barbican, Constant Spring and New Kingston,” he continued.

JWSIP, which is divided into segments A and B, is the single largest project ever undertaken by the National Water Commission (NWC). It has a total cost of $17 billion (US$211 million) and, on completion, will bring an additional 20 million gallons of water to residents in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and other areas of Jamaica.

It is part of the Government’s programme to recapitalise the NWC and to ensure that the south eastern region, extending from Central St. Catherine through South St. Catherine to the Corporate Area and as far as Harbour View, will have a reliable modern efficient water system, within 24 months.

By Chris Patterson, JIS Reporter