Improved Water Supply for Kingston and Portmore

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, says ongoing works by the National Water Commission (NWC) in the Kingston Metropolitan and Portmore areas, should result in residents experiencing greater reliability in their water service.

Mr. Pickersgill made this announcement during his 2012/13 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House, on July 24.

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Speaking under the theme: ‘Partnering For Sustainable Development’, the Minister said the Ministry is targeting water lock-offs, to ensure a more predictable and reliable supply system. 

"The citizens of the Kingston and St. Andrew Metropolitan Area and the Portmore municipality should witness greater reliability in their water service; greater coverage in these areas, and water at a consistent pressure," Mr. Pickersgill pointed out.

He reported that the NWC is currently working on the rehabilitation of the Mona and Hope Treatment Plants as part of the Kingston Water and Sanitation Project. This is estimated to cost $1.6 billion and is scheduled to be completed within the next 12 months.

For Portmore, Mr. Pickersgill reported that 10 kilometres of 750 mm diameter pipes will be laid beginning in September, which will have the capacity to provide an additional six million gallons of water per day to the municipality. The pipes are slated to arrive in the island by mid August.

In the meantime, the Minister promised that residents of Stony Hill and surrounding communities should expect to see improvement in their water supply by Christmas.

He said that under the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWISP), the National Water Commission (NWC), is carrying out physical works at a cost of $818 million, in the Stony Hill area. The work is aimed at alleviating water woes for the residents of Sherbourne Heights, Wireless Station Road, Kingswood and sections of Mannings Hill.

"The laying of pipes started on July 16 and will end in a very happy Christmas for the residents of the communities mentioned," the Minister said, adding that all the funding is in place for this project and all the approvals have been obtained.

Mr. Pickersgill noted that other areas, including lower Lawrence Tavern, Mount Ogle, Temple Hall and Golden Spring, will also benefit from the project.

The Minister also reported that work on the Darling Street Pumping Station in downtown Kingston is ongoing, at a cost of $614.1 million. This project is expected to be completed within the next 18 months.