Water worries as NWC starts massive project

With rehabilitation works on a major well that affects areas in St Catherine and the Corporate Area slated to start today, residents are fuming that the National Water Commission (NWC) has left them out of the loop.

The project involves repairs to the Bybrook well in St Catherine, and is expected to last until February 6.

"Me never hear nothing 'bout that to be honest. Weh we ago find time now fi guh catch up water fi last so long? Weh we ago get money from fi pay truck fi come wid water? We nuh have it," one woman expressed.

A press release issued on Monday by the NWC detailed that the work is intended to "remedy a decline in the volume of water normally extracted from the well source". The NWC added that "a recent telelog showed that approximately 25 per cent of the 615 feet depth is now backfilled with debris".

"Additionally, perforations that allow the water to pass through the casing have also become blocked - hence restricting inflows to the well," the entity said.

THE STAR visited a Corporate Area health centre on Monday, and workers expressed shock at the news while pondering the impact it may have on the centre's operations, which require a clean workspace to minimise the spread of infections and illnesses. Among their concerns was how they would flush toilets.

But some residents who appeared unfazed by the upcoming disruption, indicated that they have water tanks but others without, may be forced to store water in drums and bottles.

"Me affi go run go home go catch up water 'cause this catch me as a surprise. Me affi do weh me can do because me nuh have money like that fi go buy up water every minute. Them affi do better man, tell people weh unnu ago do in advance cause this a slackness," said a resident of Maxfield Avenue.

Efforts to contact Delano Willaims, head of the NWC's corporate public relations department, for further information about the rehabilitation project, proved futile.

Areas to be impacted by this project include:

ST CATHERINE: Waterford, Gregory Park, Independence City, Cumberland, West Cumberland, Westchester, Garveymeade, Portsmouth, Newlands, Christian Gardens, Hamilton Gardens, Portmore Mall and PAJ Complex

ST ANDREW: Marcus Garvey Drive and sections of Spanish Town Road, and sections of downtown Kingston that are boosted by water along Spanish Town Road.