Jamaica Gleaner:

Residents of Hermitage in St Ann now have piped water for the first time following the commissioning of the community’s new water supply system by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Karl Samuda on Friday.

The Hermitage Water Supply System was implemented by Rural Water Supply Limited at a cost of $14.4 million.

Under the project, PVC distribution pipelines and service laterals were installed throughout the community and connected to an existing National Water Commission (NWC) system nearby.

Samuda, who has responsibility for water, said there will be a significant boost in the budget of the Rural Water Supply Limited in the next fiscal year enabling the agency to undertake similar projects across the island.

He noted that when combined with projects being implemented by the NWC, the efforts will result in real improvements in the provision of water.

“I have committed that over the next two years, we will be bringing relief to the vast cross-section of persons who are affected,” said Samuda.

The residents were urged by their Member of Parliament and Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson not to waste the valuable resource.

Samuda and Robinson also used the opportunity to visit the Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School in St Ann to view the rehabilitation of the school’s water storage system.

The work to repair the school’s two water storage tanks was carried out by Rural Water Supply Limited at a cost of $1.6 million.