Brace for water shortages, NWC warns customers

KINGSTON (CMC):

The National Water Commission (NWC) is urging Jamaicans to brace for more water restrictions as the worsening drought conditions continue to take a toll on major catchment facilities.

The NWC said that consumers in north-eastern parishes should brace for more disruptions to their water supply as 29 of its systems in St Ann, Portland, and St Mary continue to be affected by the dry spell.

The NWC said that 13 systems in St Ann have recorded declining levels and are currently operating between nine and 50 per cent, while pump stations in the Dawson Town and Content have been taken out of service as there are no inflows.

The commission also noted that nine systems in Portland and seven in St Mary have been affected, with the Derry Hazzard, Fellowship Hall, and Hunts Town facilities now empty.

The NWC warned that with some sources completely dried up, it is proving to be a challenge for it to effectively service its customers in these parishes.

It said that as a result, several mitigation measures have been implemented, including supply regulation, pressure management, storage building, and trucking.