ST JAMES, Jamaica – The Cedar Hill Tank and Somerton Water Supply project was commissioned into service in the community of Somerton, St James on December 14.

The project was funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) at a cost of over $169 million and spearheaded by the National Water Commission and Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL).

The initiative, which forms part of a larger water supply project in the St James East Central constituency, will supply water to several communities in the area, including Canaan, Somerton, Windsor Lodge, Bull Pen, Adelphi, Moore Park, Lima, Content, Watson Town and Goodwill.

The scope of work included the installation of a 300,000-gallon tank and installation of 0.5 kilometres (500 metres) of 400-millimetre pipeline from the old tank site to the new tank site in Cedar Hill.

There was also the installation of four-inch and two-inch pipelines from Cedar Hill to Somerton.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda, stated that the project represented a true investment in the future of the area.

He noted that the project forms part of a larger water supply initiative in the constituency valued at over $800 million “and varying legs in it have already [started]”.

He thanked residents for their patience and stated that it is hoped that the completion of this phase of the project has underscored the government’s commitment to completing the overall water supply initiative in the constituency.

In the meantime, Samuda informed that the capital works of the NWC were valued at $4.5 billion over the last 12 months and that figure is set to increase to $7 billion over the next 12 months.

For his part, Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament for St James East Central Edmund Bartlett, thanked the stakeholders involved in undertaking the project.

He noted that the project is well-needed, and when completed the initiative will benefit some 19 communities in the constituency.

– JIS