TRELAWNY, Jamaica (JIS) — More than 200 residents of the rural community of Rio Bueno in Trelawny, will have water flowing from taps in their homes in time for Christmas.

The Rural Water Supplies Limited (RWSL) has undertaken work to connect the residents to the Rio Bueno Water Supply System.

This was disclosed by the agency’s Managing Director Albert Thompson as he delivered an agency report at a meeting of Heads of Agencies and Departments of the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change on Wednesday.

“So, these 200 residents will have water in their pipes by Christmas from the Rio Bueno Water Supply system. Needless to say …everybody is very happy and elated to have the service,” he said.

Speaking to JIS News after the meeting, Thompson informed that the National Water Commission (NWC) is currently conducting registrations in the area and the water will be turned on as soon as the process is completed.

“It’s an NWC system. As a matter of fact, it’s the NWC’s major pipeline that stretches from Martha Brae to Pear Tree River that the water will be taken from. It’s a 20-inch main and a connection was left there on that system,” he told JIS News.

The RWSL recently commissioned the Mahoe Ridge to Horse Guard Water Supply System, to benefit residents of five farming communities in South St James.

The areas are Mahoe Ridge, Horse Guard, Red Dirt and sections of Garland and Cold Spring.

Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Robert Pickersgill, who turned on the system, said the Government is committed to providing all rural residents with access to potable water by the year 2020.

He said that providing communities with a safe, reliable source of water, will ensure a cleaner, healthier environment, and they will be better able to attract new businesses.