ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Close to 60 residents of the recently refurbished Bay Front Villa & Apartments, formerly the Forum Hotel, in Portmore, St Catherine, are without running water since the National Water Commission (NWC) cut the supply on Monday for outstanding payments totalling $2.2 million.

Chairman of the Bay Front Villas Citizens Association, Patrick Maitland, told the OBSERVER ONLINE that on taking over the houses in February, the homeowners were shocked to learn that the developer, Portmore Marina Developments Limited, had negotiated a “master meter” arrangement with the NWC to serve all the households, as well as the construction of additional units at the site.

At a meeting on September 21 with Michael Dunn, NWC vice president, and Jennifer Wright, NWC Portmore Manager, representatives of the citizens association were advised that the “Bay Front Villa & Apartments,” is not directly connected directly to the commission’s sewerage and plumbing systems.

Dunn further explained that the units in the Bay Front Villas were over 30 years old and, since the NWC did not test or verify the sewerage system, the Commission’s participation is limited to the collection of the raw sewerage at the point of the “pump house.”

Dunn also expressed concerns about the operations of the “pump house”, as it has no standby generator.

In case of a JPS power outage, the entire community could be flooded with sewerage, the meeting was told.

The NWC said, however, that it would charge citizens the usual sewage rate, of approximately 92 per cent of water consumption. However, any problem with sewerage overflow or blockage would not be the responsibility of the NWC, as the Commission would not be responsible for the regular maintenance of the sewerage system.

The NWC water source is connected within two feet of the property and a “master meter” or “bulk meter” is installed at that point. The homeowner is not billed as directly connected to the NWC facilities, and any other issues, including leaking or damaged lines beyond the “master meter” is not the responsibility of the Commission.

In a letter dated June 28, 2016, Developer Richard Lake said that under the NWC’s Subtractive Billing System, each homeowner must open an account with the NWC. Without 100 per cent compliance, the NWC cannot begin subtractive billing, and the onus would be on the Bay Front Citizens Association to read meters and collect water charges from each householder.”   

Maitland said that the homeowners were very shocked, as the construction/renovation of the housing units were advertised as approved by the Portmore Municipal Council, which would include approvals from the other relevant government agencies, including the NWC.

 He said that, as a matter of urgency and public safety, the residents are requesting that the Portmore Municipal Council order the developer to fix the “Sewerage and Plumbing systems” in Bay Front Villa & Apartments in keeping with the normal NWC standards.

Balford Henry