Community Focus: Water woes plague Petersville

October 09, 2018
The Petersville pump house which residents say has been inadequate in supplying water to the community.
Richard Williams (third right), National Water Commission's regional manager, outlining the steps the NWC is taking to get pipe water to the community.
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The people of Petersville in Westmoreland have been venting their frustration at the National Water Commission (NWC) for its poor handling of the community's long-standing water crisis.

Residents told the WESTERN STAR that there is a lack of urgency by the NWC to bring piped water to the rural community that has been facing water issues for more than 30 years.

"There is a pump house in the community, but there is hardly ever any water in the lines, and on the rare chance there is water, only persons within 200 yards of the pump house get water, so most of the community has to suffer without it," Angella Campbell explained. "On top of that, if you want any of the water, you have to come out only like from 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. to catch what you can because by the next two hours, the water in the line done. We cannot continue to live like this."

The people explained that they have to journey several miles to other communities such as Whitehouse to get water.

This, however, is costly, according to residents, who noted that they have to spend thousands per month for water.

"There are people that don't have a black tank or even a drum, only some five-gallon jugs, and sometimes you see them with over 12 jugs or so chartering a taxi going to fill up water," said Campbell.

For bar owner Garth Staple, the situation is all too grim as he has to purchase water from a water truck for both his home and business.

"I have to pay a truck driver $6,000 to full my black tank. If time dry, it last three to four weeks. I am also a business operator, and I have to pay a separate $6,000 to full that tank, and it lasts just two weeks," Staple said. "I know one farmer who has to be paying up to $10,000 per week for water to care for his farm."

Residents said they are prepared to protest if the NWC does not do something soon to alleviate their water woes.

"The lack of water is also a health hazard in the community. The only thing saving persons from striking is the inclement weather. Rain is falling, so we can catch little water, but it won't last long. We need water," said Staple.

Representatives of the NWC later visited Petersville during a special community meeting where Richard Williams, NWC's regional manager, gave some assurance that the agency is doing all it can to pipe water to the area.

"Last year, we committed to doing the estimate for the pipeline from Whitehouse, and that was found to roughly be $100 million," said Williams.

He said the entity had also engaged the Water Resources Authority to do a study within the particular area to see if there are any spots where a well could be drilled.

"They have also identified another property that we should be investigating. Our properties department will have to now make contact with persons to determine ownership of that land and then proceed with looking at another option pursuing another well," he added.

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