THE NATIONAL Water Commission (NWC) is reporting that several of its customers have received piped water since it commenced its restoration service following the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
According to Charles Buchanan, public relations officer for the NWC, up to Friday evening more than 150 stations had been restored and were providing water.
"All (stations) are of different sizes, but our primary focus is to get our largest systems up," he said.
He noted that distribution for the NWC still remained a challenge, however, he expects this to improve as some of the challenges which include air-filled pipes, blocked intake and power supply are addressed.
According to Mr. Buchanan, the NWC does not believe any community will be prevented from getting water as the agency will be trying as best as possible to work beyond the challenges which arise.
CHALLENGE
Already, water has been supplied to parts of Kingston and St. Andrew, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Clarendon and Portland. He noted that the Greater Mandeville/Porus system possesses the greatest challenge now as electricity is needed to ensure supply travels uphill and into the Mandeville community.
Mr. Buchanan noted that this was being addressed and already power was restored to sections of the supply chain.
In addition, he notes that with the availability of water, the NWC will be able to detect hitches along the water chain such as broken mains, and have them addressed.
In the meantime, the NWC notes that most customers who have received water supply are likely to receive low water pressure. The Commission, however, reassures customers that every effort is being made to ensure water is supplied within the shortest possible time.
"The public is reminded that the vast majority of the water supply systems are entirely dependent on electricity supplies and have been checked by the NWC's engineers and electricians and are ready to be operated as soon as electricity is restored to them," the NWC said in a release.
In the interim, the company is encouraging Jamaicans to follow precautionary measures for treating water as stated by the Ministry of Health.
