Water Minister Commissions Parottee well into Operation

Minister of Water and Housing, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, on Friday
(April 16) commissioned the Parottee well in St. Elizabeth into service, which will serve some 2,500 persons in the parish.
The well, which was out of service for some time, was rehabilitated at a cost of about $53 million, and will provide potable water to residents in Parottee, Hopewell, Pondside, Hill Top, Stonefield, Cherry Gardens, Spice Grove, Thatchfield, Aelington, Fullerswood, Vineyard, Cataboo, and parts of Watchwell, Barbary Hall and Fort Charles.
Through funding from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) more than 3.3 kilometres of pipelines have been laid to connect the nearby community of Greenfield to the system.

Minister of Water and Housing, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, addresses the ceremony to commission the Parottee well in St. Elizabeth into service on Friday, April 16.

Dr. Chang informed the residents at the commissioning ceremony that there will be an ongoing project to remove old pipelines, and to identify areas in the system where leaks exist.
He told them that Government was committed to investing in water resources in the parish, as St. Elizabeth contributes significantly to the national economy.
“This Government is committed to spending the kind of money required to ensure that the people of St. Elizabeth have adequate water supply. Improvement in water supply will provide opportunity for economic development, farmers will farm more, people will return to live in St. Elizabeth, more houses will come, and people will set up businesses in the area,” he said.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, addresses the ceremony to commission the Parottee well in St. Elizabeth into service on Friday, April 16. Seated at right is Minister of Water and Housing, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, in his remarks, stated that the commissioning of the Parottee well “is a milestone for the community, and after today, many of you will have the opportunity to get potable water.”