NWC to Review Options for Expansion of Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam
By: , May 28, 2025
Photo: Contributed
The Mona Reservoir in St Andrew at near capacity. Based on the current levels at the Hermitage and Mona storage facilities- (100% and 96.5% respectively), the NWC has lifted the Regulations for the Corporate area that have been in place during the recent drought period. Regulations will also revert to their pre drought schedules for the Seaview system which serves Stony Hill and Jacks' Hill areas as well as the Hope systems that supply water to Papine and August Town areas.
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, makes his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on May 27.The Full Story
The National Water Commission (NWC) will undertake a comprehensive review of the options for expanding the Mona Reservoir and the Hermitage Dam, which are the two major storage infrastructure that serve the Kingston Metropolitan Area.
Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 27, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, said this will be done during the upcoming fiscal year.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to increased service reliability through improvements in storage capacity and upgrading key catchment areas.
“As it relates to the Hermitage Dam, we will be examining the possibility of increasing the storage capacity of the dam by either raising the crest level of the dam or by constructing an entirely new additional reservoir to capitalise on the overflows from the existing dam, which often occur,” the Minister said.
“Colleagues will recall that last year the NWC undertook a full engineering assessment of the Hermitage Dam at a cost of $150 million and did find some weaknesses in the structure,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda said the works associated with the development of the Rock River Dam in Clarendon North Central is also under way.
“We have commenced land acquisition, site preparatory works, and pipe works are already under way at a cost of $150 million,” he stated.
He noted, too, that the Greater Mandeville Water Supply Improvement Project, which is being undertaken, is expected to reduce nonrevenue water to below 50 per cent.
It is also expected to increase service reliability and quality of service given to customers and facilitate planned Residential and Commercial Developments in the Service Area.