PETERSFIELD, Westmoreland — Two and a half months after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, some residents here are throwing cold water on claims made by the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) about the true state of electricity and water restoration in the parish.

Westmoreland was among the five parishes hardest hit by the Category 5 storm in October, which decimated the utility network and left hundreds of communities in darkness. With electricity required to operate water pumps, lack of electricity means there’s also no access to piped water from the National Water Commission (NWC).

While JPS issued a statement on Friday claiming significant progress, the reality on the ground in communities like Petersfield, Waterworks, and Shrewsbury is far more complicated, residents said.

The utility reported that it successfully energised the lines leading to the NWC treatment plant in Roaring River on Wednesday night, which is one of several plants that serve the parish. Additionally, these lines are also now supplying power to JPS customers in sections of communities in Westmoreland, including sections of Petersfield, sections of Waterworks, and sections of Shrewsbury Falls, the company said.

According to the company, this move not only stabilised the water supply for the parish, but also restored electricity to several residential areas in the mentioned communities.

The company stated that tests confirmed the supply is active, providing a glimmer of hope for a parish that has been struggling since the October disaster.

Randy Martin, a resident of Shrewsbury, confirmed that the move to supply the Roaring River plant with electricity has made a tangible difference in his location.

“The water is now constant,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

However, he noted that the electricity has yet to reach the actual houses in his area, despite new poles being planted in nearby Shrewsbury Housing Scheme and White Road.

In contrast, other residents claim their taps remain dry. Audley, a resident of Waterworks, expressed frustration that despite being on the Roaring River line, he is still forced to transport water via motorcycle from Dean’s Valley to sustain his household.

While JPS listed Petersfield and Shrewsbury Falls as areas receiving power, those the Observer spoke with argued that the restoration is localised to a few specific spots.

“The two schemes at Waterworks, current [electricity] is on in the two schemes, nowhere else,” declared Reds Don from Petersfield.

“The [treatment] plant, we hear that it got current, but there’s no water in the pipe.”

A builder from Petersfield who gave his name as Roy Bruce shared similar sentiments. He said while the utility company claims power was returned on Thursday, the service seems to “stop down a Waterworks” and hasn’t reached the wider community.

“You know what the most important thing [is]? A di water,” stated Bruce. “They say they [are] going to set up the plant but only a few people [are] getting the water. Only a few pipes [are] getting the water right now.”

Workmen associated with JPS on the job on the Petersfield main road. (Anthony Lewis)