KINGSTON, Jamaica — Approximately 650 households across several communities in the St Andrew West Rural constituency are now benefiting from improved access to water following the commissioning of the $47 million Mount Prospect (Mount Airy) Water Tank Replacement Project.

The project was officially commissioned by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda, on Wednesday, May 8.

“This is a milestone that acknowledges that the [National] Water Commission (NWC), which you own as citizens of Jamaica, has invested $47 million into improved water supply for you. It is your government investing in your comfort, quality of life and water supply. For that, we are thankful,” Samuda said.

“This 50,000-gallon steel bolted drum is not a small piece of infrastructure. It is a large investment to facilitate increased comfort and population, and we expect it to provide a service for you for close to 30 years…But this is not a unique commitment. It is one of close to 100 projects currently being undertaken by your government, through the Rural Water Supply Limited and the NWC,” he continued.

Member of Parliament for St Andrew West Rural, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, welcomed the development and praised the ministry and the NWC for delivering on their promise.

“I’m pleased that this is now a reality. I remember seeing elderly persons and children in Mount Friendship carrying water on their heads. This tank is a major improvement. Lime Edge will also see new connections soon as NWC starts work this week. I thank Minister Samuda and the NWC team for their commitment and responsiveness,” she said.

Communities benefiting from the project include Mount Prospect, New Garden, Golden Spring, Mount Pleasant, Mount Friendship, Langley, Iron River, Mount Horeb, Mount Zion, Brandon Hill, and Mount James.

The project was completed in two phases. Phase one involved replacing an aged 10,000-gallon tank with a 50,000-gallon bolted steel tank. Phase two upgraded the existing two-inch and three-inch pipelines to four-inch pipelines to significantly improve water flow and distribution.

Minister Samuda underscored the historic scale of government investment in the nation’s water infrastructure.

“Today’s commissioning is evidence of the Government’s commitment to rural communities and expanding the utility’s footprint across the length and breadth of the country. In addition, we’re spending 800 million through Rural Water Supply Limited to invest in 63 plus systems for small communities just like this,” he said.

The Mount Prospect Water Tank Replacement Project is part of the government’s broader efforts to expand and modernise rural water infrastructure across the island.