Baron Hill To Samuel Prospect Pipeline Replacement Project Completed

The National Water Commission (NWC) has completed the Baron Hill to Samuel Prospect Pipeline Replacement Project in Trelawny, which was undertaken at a cost of approximately $275 million.

The installation, which comprised phase one of the Dornoch and Greater Dornoch Water Supply Scheme development, was commissioned into service on June 23.

Approximately 11,000 residents in several communities are served by the Dornoch water treatment plant.

These areas include Rio Bueno, Braco, Calabar, Brampton, Samuel Prospect, Vale Royal, Hatfield, Farm Town, Arcadia, Grove, Red Valley, Bethel Town, and Middlemost.

Water is pumped from the plant through a high-pressure pipeline to the Baron Hill storage tank and, thereafter, distributed to the adjoining areas.

The previous transmission main, which included asbestos cement and cast-iron pipes, was replaced after developing multiple leaks over time due to ageing, resulting in major water losses for the NWC.

Illegal connections also contributed to non-revenue water (NRW) of approximately 76 per cent, which prompted the NWC to embark on an extensive project to address these issues.

Replacement of the pipeline forms part of the exercise to rehabilitate and upgrade the existing water supply, production, distribution, and storage facilities.

This is intended to reduce the maintenance and operational costs by correcting the leaks and regulating the supply.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, in his remarks, noted that the Government is investing an estimated $2.1 billion in the upgrading Trelawny’s water systems.

He underscored the importance of citizens getting access to piped water rather than being supplied by trucks, particularly in an emergency.

The Minister assured that “we will do what the State must do to provide [piped] water in whichever way we must.”

Senator Samuda also voiced concern about the incidence water theft, describing it as “untenable”.

“Ageing infrastructure is one issue… that is one that requires a financial solution. But theft is one that shouldn’t require a solution because it should not be happening. We cannot continue to supply [water to] those who steal the commodity; it is unfair to those who pay their water bill every month,” he stated.

The Minister pointed out that the revenue generated from bill payments is needed for investments in service delivery.

“Every time you pay your bill on time, it allows us to go a little further with the line and connect to persons who deserve the water as much as you do. I encourage residents to… inform the police [of water theft occurring] and they will pass [the information] on to us,” Senator Samuda stated.

For his part, NWC Regional Manager for St. James and Trelawny, Herman Fagan, said the benefits to be derived from the newly commissioned water supply system cannot be over-emphasised.

He pointed out that it is in keeping with “our core value of increasing operational efficiency and service reliability”, adding that “we now have a more reliable water supply and, most importantly, more satisfied customers.”

Member of Parliament (MP) for Trelawny Northern, Tova Hamilton, noted that completion of the phase has satisfied the needs of several residents in the constituency for potable water.

“The transportation of water in buckets and the high costs associated with the trucking of water are now a thing of the past for residents in Samuel Prospect and Brampton,” she said.

Ms. Hamilton advised of several other water improvement projects in the constituency, which she said are at various stages of completion.

These, the MP informed, include the Wakefield to Bunkers Hill pipeline project, now underway, and the Martha Brae facility, which was recently upgraded.

Meanwhile, resident of Brampton, Elece Beasley, told journalists after the commissioning ceremony, that she was happy that she no longer has to purchase water, and looks forward investing those funds in alternative endeavours.