Residents in Westmoreland Grateful for Chlorine Tablets

Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, says residents across several affected communities are responding positively to the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ ongoing distribution of chlorine tablets to ensure access to safe drinking water.

Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Miller said the team has been active across the parish since Hurricane Melissa, particularly in communities where households are currently without potable water.

“We have been on the road in the communities distributing chlorine tablets to the residents of the parish and in particular in areas where persons do not have access to potable water at this time,” he explained.

He noted that communities such as Hartford and Fort Williams have already benefited from the outreach, with residents showing strong support for the initiative.

“I’m telling you, we are getting very positive responses from the residents. They are accepting the chlorine tablets without any cynicism or any pessimism about it. The responses were positive,” Mr. Miller said.

He pointed out that the tablets being distributed, known as Aquatabs, are provided in different strengths depending on the volume of water to be treated.

“We have one that is used for the 50-gallon containers and one for the five-gallon containers. So, we give them (residents) instructions on how to use it and the duration that it should stay for it to dissolve,” he noted, adding that residents have been receptive and eager to follow the guidance given.

According to Mr. Miller, the intervention is critical in preventing waterborne illnesses.

“This is good news for us because this will help to reduce the likelihood of persons now ending up having diarrhoeal diseases,” he said.

He shared that one resident reported an episode of diarrhoea after consuming untreated piped water, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, underscoring the need for continued vigilance.

Mr. Miller said that residents are not only using the tablets themselves but are also encouraging others to do the same.

“Persons are taking the tablets and they are taking tablets for other persons, which is very good. We want it to be noted that the residents are accepting the chlorine tablets that we are distributing as a means of purifying the water until the NWC (National Water Commission) system gets back up to its capacity,” he said.

Mr. Miller explained that while some communities supplied by the NWC have partial access to water, others continue to rely on rivers as their primary source.

“This is something welcome. It’s providing the supporting environment for them, by giving them these tablets to use to purify the water,” Mr. Miller said.