NWC Working Towards Full Water Restoration Following the Passage of Hurricane Beryl

The National Water Commission (NWC) has mobilised teams across Jamaica to assess its supply facilities currently out of operation, consequent on the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Acting Corporate Public Relations Manager, Delano Williams, told JIS News that a combination of factors caused by the hurricane resulted in some 70 per cent of customers being without water.

These include the flooding of roads and river sources, power supply disruption, and falling trees and debris which have blocked access roads to some facilities.

“Based on this, we’re partnering with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the security forces and National Works Agency as the key agencies that will help us to navigate areas that are impacted; and also, we are relying on and are in partnership with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) for their restoration of power supply to our plants that require it,” Mr. Williams said.

He pointed out that the systems impacted by Hurricane Beryl are largely located in the southern and north-eastern sections of the island.

“St. Thomas has several systems that are out. Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth are the ones of note, but also areas in Portland and St. Mary because of the remoteness of a number of the plants that are there, and the fact that they are river sources. So, with the level of rainfall that we have [had], there is a lot of flooding, debris and turbidity that we have to resolve,” Mr. Williams said

He reminds NWC customers that the full restoration of water supply to those affected will be phased.

“Some areas will be able to come back online quickly within 24 hours. There are others which may take a little longer because of the challenges with the terrain or any delay with power supply restoration. It is also critical that we assess every single plant that is out to ensure that there is no damage that could further delay the supply of water,” Mr. Williams said.

Additionally, he reminds customers to “manage your storage levels” and “conserve where possible and share your reports quickly, as we see how best we can get your water supply back online”, while urging patience during the restoration period.