KMA Water Project gets $1.5 Billion Boost

The Government’s effort to provide residents throughout the Kingston metropolitan region with reliable water supply has been bolstered with a $1.5 billion allocation in the 2010/11 Estimates and Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives.
The programme, the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) Water Supply Project, is expected to provide 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.
It also aims to rehabilitate aged facilities and increase domestic production capacity to the KMA by 13.5 million imperial gallons per day when completed.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Jamaica, it is being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Housing.
Originally started in September 2000, the project was expected to be completed in May 2006. It has however been extended until May 2010.
For this fiscal year, the physical targets of the programme involves the installation of the remaining bulk flow meters; the commencement of civil works on aquifer sustainability; the completion of all engineering and hydrological designs; the continuation of the National Water Commission’s (NWC) operational efficiency programmes; and completion of the procurement for all five construction contracts.
Among the achievements under the programme to date are: the installation of 31 of the 95 bulk flow meters for the non-revenue water reduction and control programmes; and completion of the NWC diagnostic study and improvement plan, and the design field assessment.