Work Being Done in North West St. Ann to Improve Water Supply to Communities

Member of Parliament (MP) for North West St. Ann, Othneil Lawrence, has said that significant work is being undertaken to improve the supply of potable water to several communities in the constituency.
In making his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 28), Mr. Lawrence outlined several projects, which he said, are at varying stages of completion.
Among these is the construction of a well at Queenhythe, which will supply potable water to upwards of 3,000 residents in the communities of Content, Brown Piece, Bottom Common, Adna Grass, and Queenhythe. The project, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Water and Housing, is 20 per cent complete and should be finished by the end of the current fiscal year.
In addition, an existing well in Thickets is being rehabilitated by the National Water Commission (NWC) with support from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The project, which is 50 per cent complete, will benefit some 2,000 residents.
The NWC has also commenced work in Mount Ararat, which will provide 200 families in the community with access to potable water for the first time, Mr. Lawrence informed. He said that assessments have been carried out and the agency has been allocated some $2.3 million to effect work to supply the commodity.
Meanwhile, new lines and pumps have been installed to improve water supply to the Hampton district, and there are ongoing efforts to provide relief to residents inconvenienced by the shortage of the commodity.
“We continue to employ short-term measures, such as the distribution of 6000-gallon Rhino tanks to residents, who would otherwise have to travel miles to access water, and to those who are not able to afford the construction of water tanks,” Mr. Lawrence informed Parliament.
He assured residents of Bamboo that “tireless work is being done to let water flow from the taps soon.”
“A well at Green Park has now been tested by technical personnel, who have detected adequate supplies. Very soon, a ground breaking ceremony will be held for the installation of a comprehensive water supply system for the community of Bamboo and adjoining areas. Strong representation has been made to bring water to more than 8,000 residents in these areas,” he stated.