Dear Editor,

The roadworks in the Corporate Area have left me with mixed emotions. While I can appreciate the efforts to fix our roads and pipelines, I must air my distress.

Over the past few months, the National Water Commission (NWC) has managed to create a lot of irate consumers. I live in the Richmond Park community in Kingston. This once residential community is now a mixture of residential and business places. One would think that a commodity like water would not be scarce in this area.

While I understand the impact the drought has had over the past few months, I cannot comprehend why we are still having lock offs that stretch for over a week! In light of the recent rains we have been experiencing, I was expecting even a scheduled water supply, if it is that NWC is still concerned about the impact the drought has caused on its catchment facilities.

To date, the last time we had water in our taps was September 28, which lasted for half a day. After which, it seemed the well ran dry. Calls to the NWC’s office have left me more frustrated than before because the agent with whom I spoke could not state the reason for our plight! And though she had promised to make a note of the issue, there has been no new development.

It is rather disheartening to know that we are having rain, yet the taps are dry. Taking a shower is a thing of the past, as the pipes, when turned on, gurgle and moan as if they too are in distress. As a result, sourcing water where possible, and bathing from a bath pan have become our daily norm.

Are we now expected to take to the streets for our voices to be heard, since our frequent complaints to NWC have fallen on deaf ears?

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has promised to lift the water restrictions, and while some areas have seen this promise fulfilled, we the residents of Richmond Park seem to be ‘Waiting for Godot’.

A disgruntled citizen