Westmoreland — The National Water Commission, along with the water and health ministries plans to relocate residents of Roaring River, Westmoreland has accelerated as the squatter settlement’s proximity to a major water source is said to pose a health risk.

The health concerns take on added urgency as typhoid, a water borne disease, is endemic to the area, and the health ministry is trying to prevent any further outbreaks.

“Dr Peter Figueroa, chief medical officer of health, is on record,” said NWC president, E G Hunter. “He wrote us about six months ago alerting us to the urgency to have the situation sorted out as quickly as possible. So we are working together with the Ministry of Health and our parent ministry for this relocation to take place,” Hunter said.

He added that the NWC was optimistic that the relocation would be conducted as quickly as possible.

“We are very hopeful that the proper prescription for the relocation of the people will be developed and articulated as soon as possible, because it is something that we want to happen, and we want it to happen now. Because if there is an outbreak of typhoid in Roaring River,” he continued, ” it will have implications for tourism and that is something we cannot afford.”

The NWC does not normally get involved in the relocation of squatters, but has made an exception in this case because the water source is at risk.

“From the NWC point of view, it is not our prerogative. But it is an undertaking that we have great interest in because the viability of the newly commissioned water scheme in Darliston and the scheme to Savanna-la-Mar depends on the quality of the raw water at Roaring River,” the NWC president said.

“The problem with Roaring River however, is that there is tremendous squatting in the area, in the (vicinity of the) river itself, and in the watersheds that support it. And one of the big challenges that we face at this time, is how do we protect Roaring River as a (water) source, and how do we manage the eventual relocation of the people in the area because that will have to be done,” Hunter said.