Early dismissal for Green Pond High due to lack of water

Urgency to address the constant water supply disruptions in St James are at an all time high over the past three weeks, resulting in the early dismissal of the Green Pond High School.

The school's administration cited an inability to maintain sanitary conditions, with no piped water available to operate restrooms or provide drinking water.

"We had no choice. There was no running water, and we could not continue classes safely under those conditions," a teacher at the school shared.

Efforts to get a comment from the school's principal, Odaine Ebanks, were unsuccessful as calls to his cell phone went unanswered.

The extended disruptions have severely impacted communities such as Coral Gardens, Rose Hall, Salt Spring, Cornwall Courts, Adelphi, and sections of Montego Bay.

Residents say they have gone days without water, relying on stored supplies or purchasing bottled water at a significant cost.

"It is very depressing. We have to be buying water and trying to stretch it, but it is hard. We cannot wash properly, and we are worried about the kids getting sick. Something needs to be done," Lorna Gordon, a resident of Salt Spring, stated.

In a statement issued Thursday, the National Water Commission (NWC) advised that the water supply challenges are due to a power supply issue affecting operations at its Great River Treatment Plant in St James.

"Customers in sections of St James and Hanover served by the Great River Treatment Plant... will experience a disruption in their water supply," the NWC noted.

"The matter has been reported to the power service provider and normal operation will resume as soon as the issue is resolved."

The affected areas in St James include Queen's Drive, Felicity, Mango Walk, Glendevon, Salt Spring, Brandon Hill, Cornwall Courts, Rose Heights, Farm Heights, Albion, Anchovy, Lethe, Wiltshire, Spring Gardens, Belmont, Moy Hall, and Unity Hall.

In Hanover, the affected areas include Lucea, Elgin Town, Dias, Bamboo, and Woodland.

The NWC expressed regret for the inconvenience and asked for the patience and understanding of customers.

Local leaders have called for urgent short-term measures, including the trucking of water, to affected schools and vulnerable communities, especially those in elevated terrain where service restoration may take longer.

With no timeline yet provided for full resolution, residents are hoping for swift repairs and improved reliability as the dry season continues.

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