Water Distribution in Jamaica

The National Water Sector Policy was created by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) in 2009 to strategise the distribution of water for all Jamaicans. The policy incorporates the Vision 2030 goals for universal access to water and targets the strengthening of infrastructure, storage, treatment, distribution and disposal of water.

The GOJ mandates several agencies to increase the availability of potable water to 100 per cent of the population by 2030.

Ministry of Local Government and Community Development

The Water Shop project was implemented in 2016 to alleviate supply challenges. Water shops, equipped with tanks have been constructed in several communities. The water shop initiative is an ongoing project that targets rural neighbourhoods, drought-affected communities and non-utility service communities (areas without regular NWC piped water).

National Water Commission (NWC)

The NWC is responsible for 90 per cent of the country’s potable water. The commission supplies approximately 190 million gallons of water daily to two million people across the island.

National Irrigation Commission (NIC)

NIC manages, maintains and provides services to irrigation districts and schemes to adequately distribute water to farmers, agro-processing plants and other industrial users.

Water Resources Authority (WRA)

The WRA is responsible for the regulation, protection and controlled allocation of Jamaica’s water resources such as aquifers, springs and rivers. They grant permits for drilling, the expansion of wells and use of water for hydropower. The WRA also assists with testing the quality of natural water sources that residents may discover on their properties.

Rural Water Supply Limited

The Rural Water Supply Limited installs catchment tanks and rainwater harvesting facilities to distribute potable water to some non-utility service communities.

For additional information, contact:

Ministry of Local Government and Community Development
Address: 61 Hagley Park Road, Kingston 10
Tel: 876-618-7360-9
Email: communications@mlgcd.gov.jm
Website: https://www.localgovjamaica.gov.jm/
Facebook: @mlgcd.jamaica
X, Instagram: @localgovja

The National Water Commission
Address: 28-48 Barbados Avenue, Kingston 5
Tel: 876-929-5430-5
Email: customercare@nwc.com.jm
Website: www.nwcjamaica.com
Facebook: National Water Commission
X, Instagram: @NWCjam

National Irrigation Commission Limited
Address: 191 Old Hope Road, Kingston
Tel: 876-977-4022
Email: nic@cwjamaica.com
Website: www.nicjamaica.com
Facebook: National Irrigation Commission Limited
X, Instagram: @NICJamaicaLtd

Water Resources Authority
Address: Hope Gardens, Kingston 7
Tel: 876-927-0077
Email: pclarke@wra.gov.jm
Website: www.wra.gov.jm
Facebook: Water Resources Authority of Jamaica
X: @wragovja
Instagram: @wra.gov.jm

Rural Water Supply Limited
Address: 3rd Floor, 25 Dominica Drive, Kingston 5
Tel: 876-754-5485
Email: info@rwsl.gov.jm
Website: https://www.rwsl.gov.jm
Facebook: @RuralWaterSupplyLtdJa
X, Instagram: @rwslja