KMA Water Project Gets $1.3 Billion Boost in Budget

The Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) Water Supply Project has received a boost of $1.3 billion in the 2009/10 Budget.
The project aims at providing an improved water supply system to the KMA, which includes Greater Spanish Town, South East St. Catherine and Kingston and St. Andrew, to keep pace with the rapid industrial and housing developments in these areas.
A National Water Commission (NWC) study and improvement plan and a design field assessment have been completed under the project. This is in addition to the procurement of 95 bulk flow meters, for the non-revenue water reduction and control programme. Thirty-one of the meters have already been installed.
Other physical achievements include the completion of Lot 1 rehabilitation works, and the award of contract for development of new ground water for Lot 2A.
It is expected that, for this fiscal year, a tender will be put forward and contract awarded for Lot 2B, as well as the completion of procurement for the two remaining lots. It is also intended that the new source development work on Lot 2A will attain substantial completion.
The project, which should have lasted from September, 2000 to May, 2006, has now been extended to May 2010.The KMA Water Supply Project is funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC).