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, 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.

“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.

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

Some 3, 500 residents of the community of York Street in Treadways, St. Catherine, and adjoining areas, now have access to potable water.

This follows the completion of work on phase two of the John Groyne water supply system, at a cost of $13 million. Completion of the second phase comes two years after the first segment was concluded at a cost of $9.6 million.

The project, undertaken by Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL), an agency of the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change, entailed the installation of pipelines to channel water to York Street, Palms Crossing, Bermaddy, Palms, Mingle Lane, Farm Yard, and Red Pond Lane. It also saw the installation of two chlorination facilities at Dawkins Bush.

Residents, inclusive of students of the York Street Primary School, who turned out on Friday (June 21) to witness the official commissioning, erupted in tumultuous cheers as Portfolio Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, who is also Member of Parliament for North West St. Catherine, turned on the supply system.

Mr. Pickersgill noted that prior to the project’s implementation, householders were being served by a St. Catherine Parish Council-operated system, “which could no longer supply the growing population.”
He commended the RWSL for “working to bring this water to you. This means that they are fulfilling their mission statement by implementing rural water supply projects and ensuring the highest standards and adherence to time schedules and budget.”

He stated that the entity, which was established in 2004 to, among other things, develop new water systems island-wide, is “serious” about providing potable water for residents, particularly in rural communities.
In his remarks, RWSL Director, Bishop Omar Oliphant, noted that the provision of water is “most critical” for development “as it is not a convenience, it is an absolute necessity for life and health.”

“That is why the Rural Water Supply Limited has been mandated by the Minister of Water…to ensure that residents, who live in the rural areas, receive an adequate supply of this life saving commodity. 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,” he said.

President of the National Water Commission (NWC), which has direct responsibility for the system, Albert Gordon, informed that the commission is “formulating a comprehensive plan” for York Street and adjoining communities “to ensure that everybody has access to safe drinking water, and that the supply is reliable.”

“We also want to commit to maintaining the system. We are endeavouring to provide the resources, so that…over time…the water supply can meet the growing demand for the community,” Mr. Gordon assured.
York Street Primary School Principal, Lennox Davis, described the commissioning as a “momentous occasion.”

“It is a wonderful day for York Street and adjoining communities, which are going to benefit from this new system. It will bring a more reliable and continuous supply of water to the communities, and we are grateful for this,” he said.

Mr. Dixon urged the beneficiaries to pay their bills to ensure that the system can be properly maintained to provide a steady supply of water.

The school’s Vice Principal, Alicia McLeod, and resident, Moya Blake, indicated that they too, are appreciative of the new water system.
By Douglas Mcintosh, JIS Reporter

Member of Parliament for North West St. Catherine, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, unveils sign with Principal of TyDixon Basic School, Mrs. Marie Campbell, on Labour Day (May 23). The school was refurbished as the Labour Day project.

The promise by Rural Water Supply Company Limited (RWSL) to refurbish the TyDixon Basic School, in North West St. Catherine, was fulfilled on Labour Day, May 23.
Managing Director of RWSL, Audley Thompson, told JIS News that the company has had an eight-year relationship with the school, which can accommodate 20 students.
“We saw that the school needed to be refurbished. The roof needed to have some repairs done, some sections of the outer walls needed to be rendered and painted, the toilet needed fixing and the kitchen had to be repaired,” he said. Financing for the project, which costs approximately $150,000, was obtained from the consultancy service of the company.  Mr. Thompson noted that this is part of RWSL’s corporate responsibility.

Meanwhile, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, in whose constituency the school is located, told JIS News that beautifying the school was a good idea, which would uplift the community and the children who attend the school.

“The administration is zeroing in on basic schools and you can’t go wrong if you focus on them, giving them a good start,” the Minister said. Member of Parliament for North West St. Catherine, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, paints a wall at TyDixon Basic School, as part of Labour Day activities, on May 23. Mr. Pickersgill pointed out that it was money well spent and he was sure that parents and teachers would be appreciative of the effort.

For her part, Principal of the school, Marie Campbell, said she is elated to see the work being carried out at the school, as it was well needed  “When I saw the working going on, I felt so good. I have to thank God and Rural Water Supply Limited, the community and all the other people involved in getting these things done for the children,” she told JIS NewsLabour Day activities were carried  out under the theme: ‘Lend a Hand…Build Our land’.

Contact: Rodger Hutchinson