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Minister Samuda Lauds Rural Water Supply Ltd

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Minister Samuda lauds Rural Water Supply Limited

LOOP NEWS: 1 DECEMBER 2018 | JAMAICA NEWS

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Karl Samuda, has lauded the work of the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) in completing four major projects in St. James.

Valued at a cost of approximately $54 million, the projects include restoration of the Spring Gardens and Montpelier water systems and improvements to the rainwater-harvesting systems at Roehampton Primary and Basic School, and Anchovy Primary School.

More than 7,000 Jamaicans, including some 1,500 schoolchildren, are benefiting from improved access to potable water as a result of these works.

“I want to say how very impressed I am with the work being done by Rural Water Supply Limited; it is nothing short of miraculous,” Minister Samuda said.

“The kind of dedication that has been brought to the process by the Board of the RWSL, supported by the leadership within the Ministry, will serve us very well,” he added.

Minister Samuda was speaking at a ceremony held in the parish recently for the official commissioning of the Montpelier water system.

He hailed RWSL Board Chairman and Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, for “committedly executing his role”.

Minister Samuda, during his address, noted that the RWSL remains steadfast in its operations despite financial constraints.

Message from Dr. Horace Chang- World Water Day-2017

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MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION
MESSAGE BY
HON. DR. HORACE CHANG, MP
MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (WATER, WORKS & HOUSING)
FOR
WORLD WATER DAY 2017
Each year, the celebration of World Water Day places focus on the critical importance of this most precious resource to every human being on earth.  This year, the United Nations theme is “Wastewater” with a supporting campaign slogan from the World Health Organisation (WHO) – “Why Waste Water?” – focussing on both water and wastewater. This highlights one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on improving water quality and reducing, treating and reusing wastewater.  Indeed, the provision of both services is a critical part of the thrust towards sustainable development.
It is reported that over 663 million persons throughout the world have to travel far distances to access potable, water even though approximately 1.5 billion work in water related sectors.
According to the United Nations, the use of water has grown by more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century.  In addition, it is estimated that by 2025, approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide will live in areas where water is scarce, with an additional  two thirds of the world’s population occupying  what is termed “water stressed” regions.
Pollution and the impacts of climate change are likely to place additional stress on the world’s water resources as the worldwide demand for water continues to increase.
Here in Jamaica, we too are threatened by the impacts of climate change, population growth and the improper disposal of wastes. However, we are blessed with good quality water resources and our water is rigorously treated before distribution.
The Government’s primary objective is to ensure that our consumers are drought resilient and not subjected to water lock offs. Therefore, through the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Rural Water Supply Limited we will extend our water supply services to more areas.  Additionally, we intend to reduce non-revenue water from 70% to 55% by 2021.
While this administration seeks to extend water supply services to more areas, we are also giving due attention to expanding and improving wastewater services and facilities, to protect water sources, guard public health, preserve our fragile eco-systems and protect economic investments.  
We are therefore in the process of correcting our sewage treatment systems throughout the island through partnerships with multi-lateral agencies and the private sector, – utilizing innovative financing approaches to expand our existing sewer network, by constructing new plants and rehabilitating many others.
The Soapberry Treatment Plant will be expanded and the sewage treated to a satisfactory level and reused as wastewater suitable for irrigation. The NWC is now spending J$1.5 B to undertake wastewater improvement projects in Boscobel, Elletson Flats, Bay Farm Villas and several other locations islandwide. Still more will be spent on wastewater improvements in the new financial year.
As we commemorate World Water Day this year, I urge you all to reduce your water use by conserving whenever you can.
Replenish and protect our watersheds by replanting our trees and forests and recycle wastewater around the home.
As we work to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business, we ask that you partner with us to address the challenges that may arise in the provision of water and wastewater services and in ensuring the sustainability of our water resources which will produce tangible benefits for all of us.
 
 
 
 

  

Hundreds to Benefit from Mahoe Ridge/Horse Guard Water Supply System

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Photo: Sharon EarleMinister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickergill (3rd right) is assisted by Member of Parliament for South St. James, Hon. Derrick Kellier (4th right), in unveiling the sign at site of the Mahoe Ridge to Horse Guard Water Supply System, which was officially commissioned into service by Minister Pickersgill on Friday (October 30). Others (from left) are: Councillor for the Catadupa Division, Gladstone Bent; Managing Director of the Water Resources Authority, Basil Fernandez; General Manager, Rural Water Supply Limited, Douglas Wilson; Mayor of Montego Bay and Councillor for the Maroon Town Division, Glendon Harris; and Councillor for the Welcome Hall Division, Martin Kellier.

Hundreds of residents of five farming communities in South St. James will now have improved access to potable water following completion of the Mahoe Ridge to Horse Guard Water Supply System.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, on Friday (October 30), officially commissioned the system into service, which will benefit the areas of Mahoe Ridge, Horse Guard, Red Dirt and sections of Garland and Cold Spring.

Undertaken by the Rural Water Supply Limited at a cost of $9 million, the project entailed installation of three water tanks with total capacity of 7,000 gallons; construction of pumping station with chlorination room, and a 6,000-gallon concrete sump, complete with a gas pump; and installation of 1.4 kilometres of pipeline and two fire hydrants.

In his address, Minister Pickersgill informed that the commissioning of the scheme is in keeping with Government’s commitment to provide all rural residents with access to potable water by the year 2020.

By providing communities with a safe, reliable source of water, Minister Pickersgill said, they will be better able to attract new businesses and expand existing operations. This will, in turn, increase employment opportunities and development within rural areas.

Minister Pickersgill noted further that provision of potable water “contributes to cleaner, healthier households and a cleaner healthier community.”

He urged the beneficiaries to take care of the system and conserve on the use of water by recycling wherever possible. “We need to be more diligent in detecting and reporting leaks.  We must explore alternative means of receiving and storing water such as rainwater harvesting,” he added.

Minister Pickersgill also urged them to help protect the country’s water resources.

“Taking care of the water that we have is not the responsibility of central government and the local authorities alone.  Each and every one of us must play our part,” he said.

“We must take care of our environment, and stop polluting our rivers and streams with garbage and other forms of waste matter,” he noted further.

Member of Parliament for South St. James, Hon. Derrick Kellier; and Councillors for the Catadupa and Maroon Town divisions, Gladstone Bent and Glendon Harris respectively, expressed gratitude for the completion of the project.

The St. James Parish Council has responsibility for monitoring and maintenance of the water system.

Cassava Pond Gets $9 Million Water Supply System

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Minister of Water, Land, Environment And Climate Change Hon. Robert Pickersgill (2nd left), turns on the Cassava Pond water supply system in North West St. Catherine, during a commissioning ceremony on Thursday (October 22). Others (from left) are: Managing Director of the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL), Audley Thompson; Mayor of Spanish Town, Norman Scott; Commissioner at the RWSL, Debbie-Ann Kerr-Scott; and Councillor for the Lluidas Vale Division, Hugh Graham.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment And Climate Change Hon. Robert Pickersgill (2nd left), turns on the Cassava Pond water supply system in North West St. Catherine, during a commissioning ceremony on Thursday (October 22). Others (from left) are: Managing Director of the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL), Audley Thompson; Mayor of Spanish Town, Norman Scott; Commissioner at the RWSL, Debbie-Ann Kerr-Scott; and Councillor for the Lluidas Vale Division, Hugh Graham.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, yesterday (October 22) commissioned into service the Cassava Pond water supply system in North West St. Catherine.

The facility, established at a cost of $9 million, will serve some 1,000 residents of Cassava Pond, Purang Hill and surrounding areas, providing them with a more reliable supply of potable water.
The project, undertaken by the Rural Water Supply Company Limited, included the repair of an existing 30,000-gallon tank, replacing the booster pump, construction of an inverter building, replacing transmission pipes, installation of an electrical infrastructure, and requisite services.
The Cassava Pond water supply system will be handed over to the National Water Commission (NWC), which will monitor its use and care, and manage the delivery of potable water.
Minister Pickersgill urged the residents to ensure that they are legally connected to the system and to pay their bills.
“It costs to provide you with water.  We have to treat the raw water so it is safe and in hilly communities like this, we have to pump it to you.  So I urge you to make sure you are legally connected and to pay your water bills and on time,” he said.

Minister Pickersgill informed that the Government is working to upgrade water systems in the parish, citing the recent commissioning of the Wakefield/Linstead/ Ewarton/Wellfield rehabilitation project and the Mount Rosser water supply.

1, 200 St Mary Residents Finally Have Piped Water

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MORE than 1,200 residents of several St Mary communities now have potable water flowing from taps in their homes, following the completion of the $60-million Mile Gully/Warwick Castle water supply system.

The system was commissioned into service late last month by Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Robert Pickersgill.

Tumultuous applause erupted from residents, as water flowed from a pipe turned on by Pickersgill, following a ceremony held at the adjacent St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Mile Gully.

The scope of works spearheaded by the Rural Water Supply Limited, an agency of the ministry, entailed the installation of two pumping stations, eight 2,750-gallon storage tanks, pipelines, and nine solar panels to power the operations. The system will be managed and operated by the National Water Commission (NWC).

A multi-stakeholder undertaking, which also involved members of the local benevolent group, the Mile Gully/Warwick Castle water system was carried out under the Government’s US$9.5-million Rural Water Programme, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Pickersgill acknowledged that the system, on which work started some 10 years ago, is “long overdue”, but welcomed its completion, contending that it is “better late than never”.
The minister also welcomed installation of the nine solar panels, which will reduce the cost of pumping water to NWC customers. This, he said, will cost the utility company some $500 million per month to pump the commodity.

The minister also urged the residents to play their part in maintaining the service in their community by, among other things, paying their bills and protecting the facilities.

Meanwhile, Vice-President of the Mile Gully/Warwick Castle Benevolent Group Joslyn Matterson said the residents welcomed the completion of the project as they previously relied on a spring for water. “We put in our labour to pay our cost to develop the system. Everyone has waited (and) today, we are very, very proud; we are glad for what has transpired,” he said.

Basic school teacher of Warwick Castle Alvarene Tracey expressed great pride that tap water had finally come to the community. “It was very hard for people to take water from the spring to their homes, but now that we have the water in the home, (we) don’t have to go through the stress of going to the spring to get water (anymore),” she stated.

Franklyn Dingwall of Mile Gully said he too was happy that the community was on the path to development through the provision of piped water.

An overjoyed Mickey Anderson, also of Mile Gully, declared that she no longer has to get up as early as 5:00 a.m. to fetch water for domestic purposes.

— JIS

MoBay hosts International Conference on Climate Services

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THE third International Conference on Climate Services (ICCS3) now underway in Montego Bay, is seeking to address current progress, challenges and opportunities in the implementation of climate services, and foster discussions regarding the transition from pilot activities to sustained services.

Climate services, which refer to the provision of climate information that supports policy and decision making, play a crucial role in national development planning, particularly with respect to mitigation and adaptation strategies with a view to avoiding the economic setbacks and humanitarian disasters that can result from climate extremes and long-term climate change.

The conference started on Wednesday and will wrap up today.

Dr Ulric Trotz, deputy director and science advisor at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs), says this first-of-its-kind event in the Caribbean and any developing country is an opportunity to find linkages between international climate services and those in the region.

Efficient application of climate services requires that climate information be integrated into policies across various sectors, he said. The 5Cs Science Officer Ottis Joslyn noted that the need for such cross-sectoral approaches was one aspect of the centre’s seminal risk management tool, the Caribbean Climate Online Risk and Adaptation Tool (CCORAL), which is being prominently featured at ICCS3.

The 5Cs is currently supporting a series of national consultations across the Caribbean under the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), which was established in 2009 at the World Climate Conference-3.

WCC3 was organised by the World Meteorological Organisation in collaboration with other United Nations agencies, governments and partners to steer the development of climate services worldwide.

The vision of the GFCS is to enable society to better manage the risks and opportunities arising from climate variability and change, especially for those who are most vulnerable to such risks.

For details see www.jamaicaobserver.com

Mile Gully gushes over new piped-water system

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Orantes Moore, Gleaner Writer

DOZENS OF residents in Mile Gully, St Mary, turned out to watch Robert Pickersgill, minister of water, land, environment and climate change, commission a long-overdue water supply system last week.

The project, which costs more than J$60 million and will benefit hundreds of residents, took 12 years to come to fruition and was initially kick-started by former MP Terrence Gillette.

He told The Gleaner: “This district has everything except piped water. Both JLP and PNP MPs have added to this district. The road we’re walking on was made practical by my predecessor Hyacinth Knight, and I started to initiate the piped-water project, but it took a long time in gestation, and today we are proud to see that piped water is in Mile Gully.”

His comments were echoed by Pickersgill. “I know this system is long overdue, but as I always say, better late than never. “The system comprises two independent water systems. The Mile Gully system comprises a pumping station with pump, and five 2,750-gallon plastic tanks for storage. The Warwick Castle system utilises a similar model, with three 2,750-gallon tanks.”

St Mary Residents Get Piped Water

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ST MARY, Jamaica – After 10 years, the $60-million Mile Gully/Warwick Castle water supply system is now complete and some 1,200 St Mary residents now have water flowing from taps in their homes.

The system was commissioned into service on Thursday by Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Robert Pickersgill.

The work was spearheaded by the Ministry’s agency, Rural Water Supply Limited, and involved the installation of two pumping stations, eight 2,750 gallon storage tanks, pipelines, and nine solar panels to power the operations. The system will be managed and operated by the National Water Commission (NWC).

In his address, Minister Pickersgill acknowledged that the system is “long overdue”, but welcomed its completion, contending that it is “better late, than never”.

The Minister also welcomed the installation of the nine solar panels, which will reduce the cost of pumping water to NWC customers. He said it costs the NWC some $500 million per month to pump the commodity. The Mile Gully/Warwick Castle water system was carried out under the Government of Jamaica’s (GoJ) US$9.5-million Rural Water Programme, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under its Technical Cooperation Programme.

The system is one of five developed under an initial pilot phase to provide adequate water and sanitary provisions and conveniences in rural communities not having these. Similar developments have been undertaken at: Cotterwood, St Elizabeth; White Horses/Botany Bay, St Thomas; Gravel Hill, Clarendon; and Giblatore, St Catherine.

Ground Breaking For The Mason River/ Kellits / Sandy River Water Supply System

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“Contractors get out there and do your preparatory work before submitting bids, because at the end of the day we hold you to your financial submission and if the work stops, your past performance or track record will be taken into account in future bid evaluations”.

These were the words to contractors from Minister of Water, Land, Environment & Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill when he broke ground for the Mason River / Kellits / Sandy River Water Supply System in August, 2013.

The project is expected to improve and upgrade the water supply in the Kellits to Crofts Hill service areas.

When completed, this $200M project which crosses the parishes of Clarendon and St. Ann is expected to improve the water supply for  approximately 15,000 persons in the residential institutions and commercial areas of Mason River, Sandy River, Douglas Castle, Macknie, Rhoden Hall, Elbow Corner, and  Shooter, to name a few.

It is also expected to:

  • Reduce/eradicate water losses resulting from a decrease in non-revenue water (NRW)
  • Reduce the maintenance and operational cost to correct leaks, reinstate roadways and regulate the water supply.
  • Eliminate the need for trucking water due to provision of high quality and a continuous supply of water
  • Improve customer satisfaction to customers who will now benefit from improvements to existing NWC connections.
  • Effect operational improvement and energy savings.
Honourable Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change along with Honourable Horace Dalley, Member of Parliament for Northern Clarendon, Rural Water     Supply Limited’s Director, Bishop Omar Oliphant and NWC Chairman, Dr. Leary Myers break ground for the Mason River/Kellits Water Supply System.

John groyne (phase 2) water supply system commissioned

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Member of Parliament and Minister of Water, Land Environment & Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, along with Councillor Sydney Rose turn on the  water for Phase 2 of the John Groyne Water Supply

It was to tumultuous shouts and applause from residents, that the Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill turned on the water for phase 2 of the John Groyne Water Supply System.

The Minister noted that prior to the project’s implementation, the 3,500 residents of York Street, Bermady, Palms, Mingle Lane, Farm Yard, and Red Pond Lane were served by the St. Catherine Parish Council operated system, which could no longer supply the growing population.

“I wish to commend the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) for working to bring this water to you. This means that they are fulfilling their mission by implementing rural water  supply projects and ensuring the highest standards and adherence to time schedules and budget, ”  Minister Pickersgill said.

The project, which was completed at a cost of $13M entailed the installation of pipelines and the construction of two chlorination facilities at Dawkins Bush. Phase 2 of the project comes two years after the first segment which was concluded in 2010 at a cost of $9.6M.

Bishop Omar Oliphant, Director of the RWSL Board, who also addressed the function said, “we take great pride in our mandate of designing and developing engineering solutions for the delivery and rehabilitation of potable water systems in rural areas island-wide.”

Students of the York Street Primary School perform their JCDC award  winning Maypole Dance