Minor Water Systems to be Established in Four Parishes

Minor water supply systems are to be established in four parishes under a pilot project being undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure during a meeting with World Bank Country Manager for Jamaica, Galina Sotirova, at the Ministry’s offices on Hagley Park Road in Kingston on Friday (April 8).

He informed that the project, which is expected to commence by June, will be rolled out over four months in several communities in St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, and rural St. Andrew.

It is intended to reduce the need to truck water to residents in communities affected by water shortage, by providing them with a more reliable source.

Mr. McKenzie said the pilot will entail the construction of mini water posts with at least six 1,000-gallon water tanks at each location.

The beneficiary communities will be selected in consultation with the Members of Parliament, Parish Councils, and residents.

Minister McKenzie said the water posts will be consistently replenished to ensure that residents have access to as much as 6,000 gallons of potable water daily.

He advised that a proposal seeking funding to expand the project to communities in other parishes is being prepared for submission to the World Bank.

“We believe that (a reliable) minor supply plays a very important role in the whole thrust for the growth agenda…of the Government,” he noted.

For her part, Mrs. Sotirova gave an undertaking to commence discussions with a view to providing funding support, once the proposal has been received.

The discussions between Minister McKenzie and Mrs. Sotirova focussed on the World Bank’s programmes under the Ministry.