OPPOSITION Member of Parliament Joseph Hibbert (East Rural St Andrew) says that rural water systems should revert to parish councils.

“It is a call which I fully support, provided that the requisite funding is allocated to upgrade, improve and manage these systems. I urge the government to heed the voice of the people,” Hibbert said.

He was making his contribution to the sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

He recalled that during a recent debate on a motion from Opposition colleague Dr Kenneth Baugh (West Central St Catherine), he had mentioned that a report from the public health department had highlighted the poor water quality of a number of the systems.

“These are still to be addressed by the National Water Commission,” Hibbert told the House.

“Many of these systems need to be upgraded to provide for a greater of number of users, but little is being done by the relevant authorities and, what’s more, the management of these systems leaves much to be desired,” he added.

Hibbert also raised concerns about the way water was supplied by the NWC to some communities.

“There is almost the daily complaint by residents that the supply of water to certain areas by agents of the National Water Commission is being provided in a discriminatory manner,” said the MP.

“I am told that the lock-offs are not being operated properly and some persons receive water constantly, while others receive none,” Hibbert said.

He said that these and other problems have led to calls for the water systems to be returned to the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the parish councils, which he said had his full support.

At the same time, the Opposition MP said the sewage treatment plant at Harbour View in his constituency has been down for the past 20 years, but residents were still forced to pay the full amount for sewage disposal on their water bills.