Jamaica launches J$24.8B Western Water Resilience Programme

The Government of Jamaica is implementing the Western Water Resilience Programme, the largest investment in water supply systems in the country in 40 years.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that initially, two main transmission pipelines would be installed and replaced under this program at the cost of J$24.8 billion.

PM Holness said that the existing pipelines, which were laid 40 years ago, are severely degraded and can no longer serve the requirements of the cities.

The pipelines will be constructed as follows:

Martha Brae Water Treatment Plant, Trelawny to Terminal Reservoir, St. James
Great River Water Treatment Plant, St. James to Negril, Westmoreland

“Bringing relief to the people of the West is a top priority for the Government, and as such, the pipeline replacements will be conducted under emergency procurement,” he further added. PM Holness also noted that his administration will continue to take proactive measures to ensure that it brings water to more homes across the island.

This programme will provide a more reliable water supply to residents, especially benefitting those in Negril. It will ease the residents of St James, Hanover and Westmoreland and its neighbouring areas.

While announcing the development, PM Andrew Holness outlined, “Wish to advise Jamaica, and particularly Jamaicans living in Saint James, Hanover and Westmoreland, and especially the people in Negril, that the cabinet has approved a designed and built contract with Vinci Construction Grand Projects for the start of the Western Water Resilience Program.”

He also announced that the pre-engineering phase of this project has commenced at a cost of 32 million Jamaican dollars.

This phase is expected to last till six weeks and during that period, the National Water Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, will complete the necessary technical and administrative work to facilitate the deployment of US $160 million, that is Jamaican, $24.8 billion for the installation and replacement of these two pipelines.