St Thomas communities get improved water supply

The National Water Commission (NWC) last Wednesday brought improved water supply to more than 4,500 residents in Dalvey, St Thomas, through the Fraser Hill Storage Tank Replacement Project.

The 50,000-gallon, glass-fused-to-steel-bolted tank was installed at a cost of $20 million and will serve the residents even if the Water Lane Re-Lift Pump, which feeds the Dalvey area, is out of commission.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda, in the keynote address at the commissioning ceremony, pointed out that the tank is "a major step" for the community.

He said that there is still work to be done on the distribution network in the area and gave a commitment to continue the progress in the upcoming financial year, in a bid to help residents "realise the benefits of the tanks that have been put into Eastern St Thomas".

Tanks were recently installed in the John's Town, Prospect and Needham Pen areas of the constituency.

Mayor of Morant Bay, Councillor Hubert Williams, noted the gratitude of the residents for the investment that has been made, proclaiming that "it's indeed a beautiful day for St Thomas".

"Water is life, and for any community or space to have real development, water is a critical component," the mayor said.