ST ANN, Jamaica – Residents of Stepney and surrounding communities in St Ann are set to benefit from a rainwater catchment tank to be constructed, following Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony led by the Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda.

In a release, the ministry shared that the $140 million project, to commence on June 1, being implemented by Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL), will deliver a reliable, regularised supply of potable water to over 1,100 residents who have long endured severe water scarcity.

Speaking at the groundbreaking, Samuda framed the investment as more than infrastructure but a direct intervention in poverty reduction.

“Every time money is paid to truck water, it is money not invested in children’s education or a pothole not patched. Each investment like the one we are making here in Stepney is an investment in poverty reduction and community empowerment and we are making this investment to lighten the load that you carry,” he said.

The 28-week project will deliver a comprehensive, modern water harvesting and treatment system.

The scope includes the construction of a 180,000-gallon reinforced concrete rainwater catchment tank integrated with a dedicated catchment barbecue area to capture high volumes of surface runoff.

Additionally, a modern chlorination system, newly built water house, and the installation of localised pipe stands will be installed to regularise distribution across the communities.

Welcoming the major investment, Member of Parliament for St Ann South Western and Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service,  Zavia Mayne, MP, noted that the project marks the culmination of a rigorous development process to alleviate the daily struggles of constituents.

“If you speak to the individual residents of this community, they will say the water situation is very bad. Water remains a priority for them and we are coming here today to say to them that we are almost there. The money has been found, we found a competent contractor, and we are about to start the work to make life easier for you,” he said.

Samuda contextualised the Stepney project within Jamaica’s broader recovery and resilience agenda following the recent passage of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) legislation, explaining that the country faces multiple hazards and expects extremely dry, hot conditions over the next three months. He emphasised that building national resilience must be multifaceted to successfully counter such intense and unpredictable climate variability.

Work on the new water system signals a new chapter of structural water security, localised employment and climate resilience for Stepney and the wider parish of St Ann.