Water resilience project to transform western Jamaica

A major push to modernise and future-proof western Jamaica's water supply has taken another step forward.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, has outlined the Western Water Resilience Improvement Project - Phase 1 (WWRIP-1) as a cornerstone intervention aimed at resolving longstanding water challenges while supporting sustained economic expansion.

The minister yesterday viewed potable water pipes and fittings in Freeport, Montego Bay, St James, slated for deployment under the WWRIP-1.

"This represents US$170 million of infrastructure investment which is the budget for phase one of the Western Water Resilience Improvement Project. The total project will span some US$450 million," Samuda stated.

The project involves the design and construction of approximately 65 kilometres of new ductile-iron potable water pipelines. The pipes are specifically engineered to replace the weakest links in the western water transmission chain, addressing persistent challenges such as ageing infrastructure, high non-revenue water losses, and climate variability.

The project simultaneously targets three critical transmission corridors, to include the upgrades of the Martha Brae and Great River Water Treatment plants and the development of a new water treatment plant in Roaring River in Westmoreland.