More Jamaicans Accessing Potable Water

More Jamaicans are now enjoying potable piped water in their homes than at any other time in the nation’s history.

Over the last three years, 180,000 Jamaicans have benefited from recent investments in water infrastructure.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, noted that over the past five to six years, there has been “unprecedented investment into major community upgrades” aimed at improving water infrastructure throughout the country.

These initiatives, he said, include substantial upgrades to water treatment plants and wells.

For instance, a significant upgrade at one plant has added several million gallons of water to the system, while maintenance work on another facility has increased daily supply by three million gallons, benefiting residents in Hanover and Westmoreland.

Minister Samuda also highlighted several key projects, including the Jordan Wells system in St. Mary, which aims to alleviate water shortages.

He also mentioned the New Water Treatment Plant, which is expected to produce 15.5 million gallons daily.

This facility will significantly reduce water challenges in Kingston and St. Andrew, particularly after last year’s severe drought where only eight per cent of a 30-year average rainfall was recorded.

“Areas like Riversdale in St. Catherine have been waiting for 40 years for a new distribution system,” Minister Samuda said, while informing that breaking ground for this project is expected to commence soon.

“You’d recall the issues with the collapsed well in Minard, in Browns Town, and that project is progressing apace. We are expecting that it will be completed very early in the new year. That will improve the water supply to over 30,000 persons who have been suffering for the last 18 months,” he added.

While improvements are under way, Minister Samuda acknowledged that Jamaica’s distribution network is aging and requires comprehensive replacement.

Currently, non-revenue water (NRW) – water that is lost through leaks or theft –remains a critical issue, with some areas experiencing NRW rates as high as 70 per cent.

Through public-private partnerships initiated in 2015, efforts have been made to reduce these figures. For example, rates in Kingston and St. Andrew have decreased to around 38 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.

Minister Samuda said the Government has gone to tender for an international partner that will help over the next 10 years to have that impact nationally.

“We expect to have that contract awarded very early next year. You know that is going to transform water distribution through the rest of the country,” he stated.

Meanwhile, over the last six years, more than 30 major community tanks, each with a capacity of at least 500,000 gallons, have been completed.

An additional 30 tanks are expected to commence soon.

“We are concerned for those who don’t have reliable water supply,” he stated while assuring that investments are being made at an unprecedented rate to close existing gaps.