News
Gov't plans major overhaul of water systems
BY ALICIA DUNKLEY, Observer staff reporter dunkleya@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, July 02, 2009
WATER supply problems which have plagued large sections of the Corporate Area for decades might soon be a relic of the past, with the roll-out of a US$195-million (J$17-billion) mega water supply project.
Speaking in the 2009/10 sectoral debate at Gordon House in Kingston yesterday, Water and Housing Minister Dr Horace Chang said the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (Jamaica SIP) will, among other things, "address the perennial water supply problems of the Corporate Area" and other rural sections of the island.
"An additional 20 million gallons of potable water will be provided to the KMA. This will eliminate water lockoffs in the city due to supply shortage," Chang told parliamentarians.
The water and housing minister also announced that there would be an increase in the supply of potable water to rural areas.
He said a major component of the programme would be the replacement of the Rio Cobre pipeline, which should save about 1.5 to two million gallons of water per day; the rehabilitation of the Constant Spring plant which is the single largest water treatment facility in the island; as well as the rehabilitation of the Seaview Water Treatment Plant, resulting in the 'reliable supply of 18 million gallons of water per day.
The water improvement programme will also include the installation of some 70,000 customer meters in Ocho Rios and Kingston and St Andrew. According to the housing minister, it has been noticed that when individuals are given their own meters they tend to pay their bills especially in the low- income areas.
And the rural areas to benefit under the project are: Kitson Town, St Catherine; Albert Town, Trelawny; Higgin Town, St Ann; Agualta Vale, St Mary and Mason Hall, St Mary.
"Approval and contracting details are being finalised but the project is expected to be completed and commissioned within 24 months after finalisation of the contracting agreement," Chang said.
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