KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Water Commission (NWC) is reporting that there has been another break in the pipelines that run below Mandela Highway and residents in sections of the Corporate Area and Portmore in St Catherine could face further disruptions in their water supply.

The agency, in a statement last evening, said the major 33-inch Rio Cobre/Tulloch Spring transmission pipeline along the southern side of the Mandela Highway suffered another break yesterday from major road improvement activities taking place in the area under the Major Infrastructure Development. Programme (MIDP)

The damage occurred in the same general vicinity of Tom Cringle Drive where another break occurred in January.

NWC advised that while a detailed assessment is still being arranged in preparation for emergency repairs in the shortest possible time, it is expected that water transmission along the pipeline will need to be shut down.

The 33-inch Rio Cobre/Tulloch Spring transmission pipeline is a critical part of the NWC’s Corporate Area water supply network, serving sections of Portmore as well as parts of the Corporate Area such as Spanish Town Road, Marcus Garvey Drive, Molynes Road, Washington Boulevard, and sections of Downtown Kingston.

The affected pipeline, along with the previously damaged and now out of operation 18” Ferry pipeline, is critical to the supply of water to most of the western side of the Corporate Area.

“This damage to the pipeline further compounds the previously existing water challenges in the Corporate Area,” said NWC.

The agency assured that it will advise the public as more information becomes available.