NWC Taking Steps to Boost Water Flow in Drought-Stricken Hanover and Westmoreland

The National Water Commission (NWC) is undertaking several activities to provide water to customers in western Jamaica amidst the prevailing drought conditions.

Acting NWC President, Kevin Kerr, provided an update on short, medium and long-term measures being undertaken by the entity for Hanover and Westmoreland during a semi-virtual press conference at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in New Kingston on Monday (April 22).

Mr. Kerr said the Commission has increased the number of water trucks for the region by four and will boost trucking of the amenity in targeted communities.

He further indicated that procurement will commence shortly for eight additional new water trucks.

The Acting President said the NWC will conduct a rapid appraisal of the network, as well as leak detection and repairs.

“We intend to regularise those customers who are not currently on board with us, to partner with us so we can promote conservation,” he stated.

Mr. Kerr said the NWC will embark on a process of decalcification of the Great River Water System.

“In simple terms, it is washing sediments from the pipe, and this activity will bring an additional one million gallons per day, which we will dedicate solely for Hanover. This water will reach as far as Green Island, so we will minimise the need for Logwood, to go to that space, which means more water will be available to pump to the communities in White Hall, Red Ground and [their] environs.

“We have also, since January, procured a new standby generator. [For] those of you who are living in the area, who are familiar with frequent power outages in the area, this standby generator is to minimise the interruption when there is a single phase or low voltage problem. We have commenced installation and we will push to complete [that] by this weekend,” he said, while advising that plans are also in place to explore the area for potential wells.

Mr. Kerr also informed that preparatory works would commence for major transmission lines during this financial period.

“Our plan [over the medium term] is to upgrade transmission lines all the way from Martha Brae to Negril. We will expand the capacity at Great River and Martha Brae to meet the deficit in the dry period, and the upcoming demands. We will also, through our Research Unit, explore the potential of desalination in that space.

“Our long-term measures to address the deficit in Negril include the construction of a new water treatment at Roaring River, Westmoreland. We are already advanced in our procurement activity to conduct an island wide non-revenue water reduction project… so [that] in periods of drought we will have additional capacity to meet your needs,” he said.

Mr. Kerr assured that the Commission will continue to provide information to customers and urged them to visit the entity’s website at https://www.nwcjamaica.com, for updates on the scheduled intermittent piped water supply.

He also urged customers to report leaks and continue to conserve and store water.

The Acting President explained that the Orange River/Blue Hole supply sources for the Water Treatment Plant at Logwood, are now at 45 per cent, while advising that the Fish River is dry.

“This means we cannot operate the plant 24 hours per day. So water is periodically produced and the facility is shut down to build storage,” he said.

Meanwhile, NWC Acting Corporate Communications Manager, Delano Williams, informed that close to half a million gallons of water has already been trucked to the affected parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland.