Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, has announced that the Government will invest in the Black River Town Centre Line to Arlington/Parrottee in St. Elizabeth this year.
“We do have in this year’s budget and procurement, the Black River town Centre line to Arlington/Parrottee, which will improve the water supply for 4,000 citizens at a cost of $238 million”, the Minister stated.
Minister Samuda made the announcement on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the commissioning of the fourth and final phase of the Hounslow Water Supply and Upgrade Project, at Hopewell in St, Elizabeth.
Assuring the citizens of St. Elizabeth that the Government is actively developing projects that will transform the water sector, Minister Samuda noted that several projects in St. Elizabeth are at varying stages of development, including massive investments in Pedro Plains and Essex Valley.
In the meantime, Minister Samuda explained that the 4th phase of the Hounslow Water Supply and Upgrade Project, which was completed at a cost of J$180 million, involved the replacement of the aged pipeline from the Hounslow Pumping Station, to transfer water via Newell, Williamsfield and Hopewell, for distribution to surrounding areas, including Fort Charles.
The Minister noted that the completion of phases one to three of the project at a cost of over $340.9 million and serving 3,208 customers, represents commitments made to the citizens in 2015.
“Phase one of this project was completed. We established the well in Hopewell, it was the replacement for the failed Parrottee Well. We then installed a significant length of four-inch distribution pipes and some 10-inch and 8-inch ductile pipes. Phases 2A and B, now completed, were the Hounslow Well Site going into Newell Square, and we installed a significant number of pipes. We completed phase 3A and that replacement dealt with the lines going into Barbury Hall. Phase 3B is now complete, which is the Williamsfield Square to Hopewell where we replaced some 1.6 kilometers of pipes. I am very happy that the commitments made in 2015 have been fulfilled”, the Minister stated.
The communities to benefit from the 4th phase of the project include Newell, Little Park, Pedro, Watchwell, Short Hill/Beacon, Great & Calabash Bays, Hopewell, Fort Charles, Parottee, Williamsfield, Barbury Hall, Fullerswood, Arlington and their environs.
Customers in these areas can expect improved service delivery, as well as a reduction in the need for regular trucking in the area, while the NWC will benefit from a reduction in the existing level of Non-Revenue Water in the Hounslow Water Supply System.
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