Final Consultation on Water Policy April 30

The final in a series of public consultations on the Draft Water Sector Policy and implementation plans will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The draft Policy and plans for implementation are intended to provide a guide to the work taking place in the Ministry, and will clearly show the general improvements in the sector, the constraints, as well as the general direction and vision of the Ministry for the water sector.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the consultation.

Mr. Pickersgill will use the opportunity to outline the Government’s plans and strategies that will be used to provide potable water and sewerage services.

The main aim of the policy is to provide universal access to potable water for all Jamaicans by 2020.

In drafting the Policy, several strategies and plans were examined, including the demand for potable water up to the year 2020, utilizing the formula of approximately 150 persons per square kilometre; and examining the existing systems with a view to filling the gap between demand and supply.

Several specialists from the Water Resources Authority, the Rural Water Supply Limited, National Water Commission, Central Water Treatment Company, National Environment and Planning Agency are expected to be on hand to answer questions posed by persons attending the forum.