KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change says it is working closely with several utility providers to ensure the swift restoration of water supply to critical infrastructure following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking during Sunday’s joint virtual utility media briefing, portfolio Minister Matthew Samuda, reaffirmed that all water supply systems are under close surveillance as Jamaica prepares for the hurricane’s impact.

“Water is life, and I do want to assure all the National Water Commission (NWC) customers, all of the customers of rural water systems usually run by municipalities, that we are monitoring very carefully the situation that will affect them,” he said.

Samuda further noted that the ministry has been working closely with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to prioritise critical infrastructure in its restoration planning.

“They know our priorities in terms of the number of customers that come on with each pumping system. Particularly important, JPS is also very clear which parts of their system have to be up for us to supply hospitals, infirmaries, places of detention and places of safety. We’re working very closely to ensure that their restoration or rebuilding plans take into consideration critical infrastructure first and the largest area to bring on the most customers first,” he added.

The Government has identified over 50 privately held generators capable of temporarily restoring water supply to more than 80 per cent of NWC customers within three days of the official ‘all-clear’ following Hurricane Melissa.

“[Those] won’t be brought on [to provide] 24 hours of service [non-stop], as generators need rest time. But it will allow us to restore service and allow persons to fill their storage tanks very quickly,” Samuda explained.

The Minister noted further that restoration timelines may vary for customers located in more remote areas of the island.

“The nature of Jamaica’s population is that 80 per cent lives within five kilometres of the coast. So there is going to be some disruption, there is no way around that. The other 20 per cent is scattered and is served by scattered water systems, and that will take some time,” he stated.

Arrangements have been finalised for the deployment of four mobile generators to remote communities. 

“So even before JPS completes its work, we will give [residents in those areas] some water to make sure they are able to fill [their storage containers],” Samuda assured.

—      JIS