Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

The drought, which is parching the Corporate Area, has started to affect several institutions in the Kingston and St Andrew area, The Gleaner has learnt. Information reaching this newspaper is that at least one high school on Hope Road in St Andrew had to shut its doors and send students home early because of the lack of water.

In a report yesterday in The Gleaner, it was revealed that water levels in most National Water Commission (NWC) systems across the island had reached critical stages as the dry spell affecting the island persists.

The drought, which some officials at the NWC have been describing as the worst in a number of years, has seen water levels in the two major units supplying the Corporate Area - the Mona Reservoir and the Hermitage Reservoir - at less than 50 per cent.

When The Gleaner checked several learning institutions in the area, some revealed that they had been experiencing low water pressure.

Anthia Steer, principal at Mona High School, said that while there was low water pressure at the school, there had been no interruptions.

"We have water. What I have learnt is that there is a lock-off at around 3:30 p.m. But we have had no serious problems," she said

At Campion College, an office worker told The Gleaner that one section of the school's campus was not receiving water, while another section was.

"We had that problem (no water) in some areas of the school - a part of the school had water, while another didn't. School went on, however," she told The Gleaner.

At Jamaica College, also on Hope Road, an administrative worker said there was extremely low water pressure.

"We didn't send home any students today, but the water was very low. It hasn't been like this for a long time," she said.

Teneka Nelson, community relations office for the eastern division at the NWC, said there had been complaints from the Kingston and St Andrew area with regard to low or no water pressure.

"We apologise to our customers and crave their understanding at this time. We are aware that persons are experiencing low water pressure, and some further along the system are not getting any water."

Nelson said that the water suppliers had been responding to customers who say they had no water by trucking it.

Nelson is encouraging persons to call 1-888-CALLNWC (2255692) to report any problems they might be having, as the agency might not be aware of all those experiencing water woes.

Nelson also reminded persons to conserve water as the island continues to experience drought conditions.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com