Water lock-offs resume

Friday, May 20, 2011

THE National Water Commission (NWC) will be resuming water restrictions as the prolonged dry season begins to take a toll on the company's supplies.

The NWC said that despite careful water management measures to ensure the maximum availability and distribution of supplies, there has been a continuing decline in inflows and storage levels caused by the long dry season as a number of water supply systems are unable to provide full service to meet the increased demands.

"This has resulted in some customers receiving intermittent or regulated supply, low water pressure or no water for extended periods, depending on their elevation and location on the affected system," the NWC said yesterday.

It said the extended dry season has been affecting particularly small surface source water supply systems. Among the affected systems are:

* The Hermitage/Constant Spring Water Supply System in the Corporate Area;

* Second Breakfast Water Supply System in Rural St Andrew;

* Somerset/Trinityville Water Supply System in St Thomas;

* Goldmine and Guys Hill Water Supply Systems in St Catherine;

* McNie Water Supply System in St Ann;

* Dornoch Water Supply System in Trelawny;

* Mt Carey, Mafoota and Endeavour Water Supply Systems in St James;

* Kendal and Logwood Water Supply Systems in Hanover; and

* Dantrout Water Supply System in Westmoreland.

Said the NWC in a release: "While it is hoped that the expected May/June rainy season will soon bring some relief, the National Water Commission is urging customers to conserve on their use of water, store water for the periods of disruption and to cooperate with the water management measures which may be in force on their particular water supply system."