De-Silting of Hermitage Dam to Start Last Quarter of 2014/15

De-silting of the Hermitage Dam is scheduled to start during the last quarter of 2014/2015 Financial Year.

This was disclosed by Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 29.

The Minister said it is expected that the works should be completed within 12 months after the start date.

He informed that the National Water Commission (NWC) has started the procurement process for the de-silting works, and an engineer’s estimate of the cost is being developed.

The de-silting of the dam is expected to provide 120-180 million gallons of water, which is 30 to 60 days of additional storage. The dam was built in 1927 and no major work has been done in terms of siltation since then.

Meanwhile, the NWC is to undertake the de-nitrification of wells in the Corporate Area.

“The Water Resources Authority has received a proposal from one consultant for evaluating the potential for de-nitrification and this has been submitted to the NWC for review and action,” Mr. Pickersgill told the House.

He added that the wells at Devon House and King’s House are being tested for water quality. “Also, a well at Ballater Avenue (St. Andrew) that uses a de-nitrification plant, is presently in operation, and the NWC is presently taking water from this source,” the Minister informed.

A total of $1.7 billion will be spent by the Government to rehabilitate 26 well sources, pumping stations, and reservoirs across the island.

This forms part of the programmes and projects planned for the new fiscal year to provide potable water to households.