Gov’t Embarks on Project to Reduce Water Loss

The Government is embarking on a $4.9 billion project aimed at reducing water loss in the Corporate Area due to leaks and theft.

The five-year Non-Revenue Water Reduction Co-Management Project in Kingston and St. Andrew is intended to improve water supply to residents, and save the National Water Commission (NWC) billions of dollars in lost revenue.

It involves partnership with Israeli-based company, Miya, known for its implementation of efficiency solutions worldwide.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, in her address at the contact signing ceremony held on July 8 at her offices on Kingston, said the project comes at an opportune time as the country continues to grapple with drought conditions and limited water supply.

“In this period of severe drought, we cannot afford to lose one drop of water, and that is why I am pleased to be witnessing the start of this project,” she said.

She pointed out that in the Corporate Area, some 108 million liters per day, or more than half of all the water that the NWC produces, is either wasted as a result of leaks, or is stolen. This is a situation, she insists, which cannot continue.

The Prime Minister said she is satisfied that the project will serve to increase the operational efficiencies of the NWC and ensure that more of the water produced by the entity will be available to supply paying customers.

“Under this five-year project, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Miya will implement strategies and action to enable the NWC to improve its performance and maximise the collection of income for the water it produces,” she pointed out.

It is intended that the 53 per cent of water normally lost daily in the Corporate Area will be reduced to 37 per cent within two years, 30 per cent within three years, and 20 per cent by the end of the project.

The Prime Minister informed that initially, Miya will conduct an audit of the NWC’s network to determine the precise steps to take towards achieving this objective.

She pointed out that by the end of the project, it is anticipated that the NWC will realize an economic benefit of just over $29.2 billion.

“Importantly, it will improve the efficiency and reliability of supply to over 650,000 residential and commercial customers,” she said.

Miya optimises water supply in urban water systems worldwide. It partners with suppliers of the utility to design and implement comprehensive technology-based solutions that significantly improve the client’s financial and operational efficiency, while also enhancing customer service levels, reducing energy consumption, and lowering contamination and health risks, to benefit people, the community and the environment.

Miya’s solutions comprise an audit of the city’s water system, full project planning, on site execution, maintenance, and training.