Water shortage hurts Spaldings

Despite recent heavy showers in areas served by the National Water Commission’s (NWC’s) two-meeting bridge water supply system at Alston in Clarendon, residents, schools, and business establishments in and around Spaldings are being affected by a shortage of water.

Several residents have complained that they have not been getting any water in their taps, and have been forced to purchase the precious commodity from private truckers at very high costs.

One resident told THE STAR that it has been costing his family more than $25,000 for a 4000-gallon load of water, which lasts about four weeks.

Several business establishments have also complained that they have been forced to purchase water from private truckers, which has been costing them similar sums.

Checks with the NWC to ascertain the reason for the water problem in the area revealed that the two-meeting bridge system at Alston has also been affected by electrical and mechanical problems.

Richard Azan, the Member of Parliament for North West Clarendon, told The STAR that the pump has been put back into service, but was only putting out about 80 per cent of its capacity. He said some parts of Spaldings, including the hospital, are without water. Year’s Eve.

Reports from the Hunts Bay police are that about about 10 p.m., the operations support team was on foot patrol on Glen Drive, St Andrew, on December 31, when a man was seen acting in a manner that arose their suspicions. He was accosted and searched, and the firearm and ammunition found. He was subsequently arrested and charged.