CLARENDON, Jamaica — Approximately 1,000 residents across Bunkers Hill, Mears, Broadleaf and Nairne Castle in Northern Clarendon are set to benefit from improved access to potable water following the commissioning of the $91.6-million Bunkers Hill Water Supply Project on Tuesday.

In a release, the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change said the project was implemented by Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) and handed over to the National Water Commission (NWC) for ongoing operation and maintenance.

The project comes as Jamaica continues to experience drought conditions, with the Government seeking to strengthen the country’s water resilience.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda said the Bunkers Hill project represents a significant investment in the community, but must also be viewed within the context of the much larger investment required to achieve water resilience nationally.

“What we are doing here in Bunkers Hill is a demonstration of what is possible when we make the necessary investments, but it also reminds us of how much more work remains to be done. We have an ageing water network, increasing demand and a changing climate, so we have to significantly accelerate the pace of investment if we are going to build the resilient water system that Jamaica needs,” he said.

Samuda said the water challenges experienced by Bunkers Hill residents had persisted for decades, against a history of inadequate investment in water infrastructure.

“We take today to mark a milestone of a $91-million investment in a system that is an impressive piece of infrastructure, including a 10,000-imperial-gallon elevated storage tank which supports the rehabilitation of the existing 5,000-imperial-gallon tank and the new pipeline infrastructure,” he said.

The project also includes approximately 9.3 kilometres of new transmission and distribution pipelines, as well as a solar-powered pumping system intended to reduce operating costs while helping to address challenges associated with intermittent electricity supply in the area.

Samuda encouraged residents to establish and register their connections with the NWC and pay their water bills.

He also announced that consideration will be given to facilitating complimentary connections for a limited number of residents over 65 years old who are experiencing particular financial difficulty.

Member of Parliament for Clarendon Northern Wavell Hinds welcomed the investment and urged residents to recognise their responsibility to help sustain the system.

“I too will encourage them to pay the bills because we have to contribute to ensure that the project will continue in a more sustainable way,” he said.

The call for residents to play their part comes as water resources across the country remain under increasing pressure, with the current drought adding to the challenges facing an already strained water infrastructure.

The ministry reminded the public that, due to the ongoing drought conditions, prohibition orders remain in effect for Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, St Mary, Portland, St Ann and St Catherine.

The orders, which restrict the use of potable water for specified non-essential purposes, will remain in force until further notice as part of measures to manage available water resources and protect supplies.

The ministry is also encouraging residents islandwide to conserve water, limit non-essential water use, repair leaks promptly and report leaks when observed.