KINGSTON, Jamaica – As the National Water Commission (NWC) continues to improve and upgrade its facilities across the island, two sewerage treatment plants stand to benefit from significant expansion and rehabilitation works.

A contract was signed today at the NWC’s Corporate Office for the commencement of these works on the Elletson Flats and Boscobel Sewerage Plants. Vinci Construction Grands Projects was awarded the contract for carrying out the upgrading works at a cost of US$4.2 million.

The projects will be implemented over a 12-month design and construction period to be followed by a 24-month operation and maintenance period.

In her opening remarks, NWC Deputy Chairman, Marjorie Fyffe Campbell, stated that, “Although the sewage portfolio is important, it is often the overlooked component of the NWC’s operations.”  

“It is for this reason that the National Water Commission, with funds provided through the Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (CReW) Project, has embarked on a programme for the continued implementation of sewerage projects across the country,” the deputy chairman added.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Robert Pickersgill in his main address stated that the Design and Build Project for the Boscobel and Elletson Flats Wastewater Treatment Plants is a welcomed part of the continuing effort to ensure that NWC wastewater treatment facilities are capable of handling the volume of domestic wastewater discharge produced by a rapidly growing population.

Beneficiary Members of Parliament Jolyan Silvera and Andre Hylton were very pleased as they lauded the commission for the steps being taken to remedy the shortcomings and challenges their constituents face as a result of malfunctioning sewerage systems.

The works on both treatment plants include the design, construction, supply, delivery, offloading, erection, site installation, testing, and commissioning of the projects. The contractor will be responsible for the demolition and disposal of structures no longer required; dissembling and decommissioning of the facilities that are to be retired; using the guidelines stipulated by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and restoration and landscaping of the area on which the existing facilities are located.