CABINET has approved the award of a contract valued at US$427,000 to consulting engineering firm Stanley Consultants Inc for the Rio Cobre Basin Water Resources Study.

The study forms part of the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) Water Supply Improvement programme and will be overseen by the National Water Commission (NWC).

Addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, Minister of Education, Youth and Information Senator Ruel Reid noted that the study will aid in determining the soundness of the existing restriction on the use of the aquifers within the Rio Cobre Basin. These restrictions had negatively affected farming in the area.

The minister said Cabinet has requested that the study examine the merits of rainwater harvesting, including mandatory rainwater harvesting.

The KMA Water Supply Improvement programme, being done with support from the Inter-American Development Bank, has the objective to improve the quality of services provided to the KMA and selected urban areas, and to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the NWC.

— JIS