Minister Pickergsill Turns on Gutters/Retirement Water System

Residents of Gutters, Retirement and adjoining communities in West Central, St. James, now have access to more reliable water supply.

This follows the competition of work on the Gutters/Retirement Water Supply System at a cost of $26.3 million.

The project, undertaken by the Rural Water Supply Limited, involved installation of over six kilometers of pipelines to provide potable water to the communities, which includes areas such as Ply Scheme and St. John’s.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, who officially turned on the system on Friday (May 22), said the project, on which work started in October 2014, was completed on time and within the stipulated budget.

“I am also pleased that 25 residents of the communities were employed for the duration of the project,” he said.

He informed that the St. James Parish Council will operate and maintain the system, with residents to pay a flat rate of $500, while commercial clients will pay $1000 for connections.

“I think the charges are reasonable for portable water and let me state that no one will be exempt from paying bills. Providing and distributing water to you, our customers, is not a cheap process,” he noted.

Minister Pickesgill appealed to the customers, who will be paying a flat monthly fee, to conserve on the use of water and ensure that they report leaks.

“When you conserve, your actions will ensure that everyone receives an adequate supply at all times,” he pointed out.

Minister Pickersgill said the Government is committing to empowering rural communities through the provision of access to safe, reliable water supply.

“Water is a very empowering resource. By providing our communities with a safe and reliable source of water, we are equipping them with the potential to attract business and improve on existing ones. I am confident that this project will add to the productivity of Gutters, Retirement and St. John’s as you will be able to run your farms more efficiently and engage in other business ventures,” he said.