Several communities in Eastern Hanover are receiving potable water for the first time in decades, following the commissioning yesterday (January 31, 2024) of Phase Two of the $600 million Cascade Water Supply Project in the area.

Phase two of the system, which was completed by Rural Water Supply Limited at a cost of $150 million, will serve some 1200 potential accounts in the communities of Cascade, Jericho, Mount Peace, Patty Hill, Shortfield, Hanna Town, Bulla Town, Retrieve, Claremount, and Pondside, as well as the Merlene Ottey High School.

These communities had experienced water scarcity issues due to drought, inadequate pipe networks, and lack of proper water infrastructure, which compelled residents to seek water from distant sources or resort to untreated water sources posing health and safety risks.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the Merlene Ottey High School in Pondside, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Samuda, noted that the investment was urgently needed.

“The NWC (National Water Commission) has spoken about this system as one of their major achievements, because they know the need, they understand how great and urgent it was. It’s a commitment that we have fulfilled and we’re very proud this afternoon to commission this system. We commit further to ensure that those, like the students of Merlene Ottey High, get the connections to the system to ensure that water, which is life, is a reality for you”, the Minister stated.

Work on the project included the installation of a 50 mm (2 inches) Distribution PVC Pipeline; the installation of a 150 mm (6 inches) Transmission Pipeline; the establishment of a 1.25 million-liter (250,000 gallons) storage reservoir and the supply and installation of pumping equipment. It also included the construction of a pumping station at Retrieve and the installation of lateral pipelines to connect to residents’ properties.

Minister Samuda noted that while the investment would alleviate the water scarcity issues that had plagued Pondside, the country is in a race against time regarding climate change.

“Our climate has already changed, our weather patterns have already shifted. We don’t know when there will be drought and when there won’t be. We don’t know which system will run dry”, he explained.

The Minister added that as such, the Government will continue to invest at unprecedented rates, to ensure that the water infrastructure is adequate and that the systems are resilient to the impacts of climate change.