Hermitage Dam to be upgraded at a cost of US$250 million, says Samuda
The Government is moving ahead with plans to upgrade the Hermitage Dam in Stony Hill, St Andrew to the tune of US$250 million.
Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda said the effort will be spearheaded by the National Water Commission (NWC) which will prioritise investments aimed at improving water storage capacity and system resilience.
He was speaking Tuesday during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate at Gordon House.
“Central to this effort is the proposed upgrade of the Hermitage Dam… which will involve a comprehensive technical assessment of structural integrity, sedimentation levels, and potential capacity enhancements. Complementing this initiative is the planned review of the storage at the Mona Reservoir to determine the feasibility of expansion and necessary rehabilitation works,” Samuda said.
He told the House that the water storage infrastructure that serves Jamaica today was largely built a generation ago. “It has served us well, but time and population growth have outpaced it. Our population has expanded, our weather patterns have shifted, and what was adequate then is simply not adequate now,” he said.
Separately, the minister said at the community level, the installation of storage tanks, estimated at US$7 million, will strengthen localised capacity and improve response to service disruptions.
Samuda also shared that the NWC has enhanced its emergency response capability through the deployment of portable water treatment units and strategic partnerships with private suppliers to supplement water availability during drought conditions or supply disruptions.
“New treatment capacity is being pursued with the intended development of water treatment plants at Roaring River and Rio Bueno through public-private partnerships which will add 40 million gallons per day to the network,” said Samuda.
He added that the network will further benefit from upgrades at the White River, Martha Brae, and Great River treatment facilities, collectively adding approximately 30 million gallons per day additionally.
