NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Hoteliers and business operators in this resort town, wary of water problems that affected their operations in 2024, are being assured by the National Water Commission (NWC) that its treatment plants in western Jamaica are humming at full capacity, even as there are concerns that the island could face a dry spell this year.

“We are very worried…Last year was a bad year for Negril because, remember, after the water crisis [we had] seaweed crisis, then we had the hurricane crisis, and then we had the [travel] advisory. So, Negril really suffered last year, especially the smaller properties who lost a lot. So we are really praying that we don’t have any water problem this year,” Sophia Grizzle Roumel told the Jamaica Observer last week.

Grizzle Roumel, a hotelier and Negril Chamber of Commerce director, said the Negril community is fearful that if the country should experience less than average rainfall this year, the resort town would be forced to purchase trucked water and as such, could rack up immense losses.

Last year, a survey conducted by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Negril Chapter indicated that within two months hoteliers spent more than $200 million to buy trucked water as a result of the water crisis brought on by drought. This figure was 50 per cent more than their usual NWC water bill. At that time, Grizzle Roumel warned that the sector was no longer able to maintain the spend.

In a written response to queries from the Observer on Tuesday, the NWC said its western Hanover water supply systems, in particular the Logwood Treatment Plant which supplies Negril and its environs, are operating at full capacity.

“However, the NWC continues to closely monitor reports of an impending dry spell and remains committed to implementing any necessary measures — trucking or water management — to ensure the consistent and reliable delivery of water to our valued customers,” said the NWC.

The commission said it was vigilant due to assessments in previous years showing agricultural droughts triggering higher demand for NWC supply.

“We encourage customers to stay informed and practise water conservation where possible. Further updates will be provided as necessary,” the commission said.

However, the Negril business community remains worried after reports that, while the country may not experience a meteorological drought this year, less than average rainfall is possible.

Negril Chamber of Commerce President Elaine Allen Bradley said the resort town does not want a repeat of last year’s predicament.

According to Allen Bradley, some areas are without water at the moment and as such the commodity is being rationed.

She said the issue was brought to the attention of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness during a meeting with the business community recently.

“It’s starting up again. Not as bad right now, but we can envisage that it’s going to be difficult because [the] time’s getting drier. So he said he’ll try to mitigate that and see how…if it happens…NWC can truck water at a low cost,” Allen Bradley said.

Two weeks ago, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told the Negril community that the Government has made the first steps in its $24.8-billion project that, when completed, should provide significant relief to water supply problems being experienced by Jamaicans in the western section of the island.

Bartlett said he was informed by Minister Matthew Samuda, who has responsibility for water, that the procurement process has begun and within three months construction work will begin for the laying of pipes to connect Negril with the water supplies from Martha Brae, Great River, Bulstrode, and Roaring River.