Approximately 9000 residents in Fairfield, St. James are set to receive improved water supply delivery from an upgraded 8-inch Ductile Iron pipeline from Fairfield Ave to Fairfield Tank within three months.
The work, which is being done by the National Water Commission (NWC), will benefit residents from Fairfield Irwin, Cashew Grove, and Tucker Avenue and include the replacement of the 2km of old and aging 6″ Asbestos Concrete Pipe that was prone to leakage.
“These pipes were meant to be changed many decades ago. However, we now have the financial capacity and space to do this project. So, the works behind us will cost some $47 million and pipes have been pulled from the NWC stores of pipes, which will carry the value of the project to approximately $70 million when complete”, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda stated.
He continued, “There are a number of developments being contemplated in the space. This (replacement work) will significantly increase the reliability of water delivery to all consumers in the area and will also lay the base for growth”.
Once completed, the team from the National Works Agency (NWA) will begin the road rehabilitation.
“The NWA has already completed the procurement of the road works where the pipes are being laid, and once this is completed in 3 months, immediately after that, work will start. The contractor has already been approved and contract work is complete”, Minister Samuda added.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for West Central St. James, Marlene Malahoo-Forte, said “The replacement and upgrade of the pipes on Fairfield Avenue is one aspect of the infrastructure work that is preceding the road work so the constituents and I have been in constant dialogue about the work…so again, I am asking for your patience as we do the work in sequence to improve the infrastructure”.
Minister Samuda encouraged the residents to work with the NWC, once the emergency works are completed, and pay their bills on time. He also reassured them that when they see water coming from the system, it indicates that the NWC is conducting pressure testing, not a leak.
“The process involves, pipes being laid, pressure testing, and flushing of the system as I also try to assure residents that when they see the initial water coming from the flushing of the system it is not a leaking of a new network but a natural process to make sure that the pipes are clean so that when we do come into the new network, you get the benefit of clean potable water. You will receive the water from us as a Christmas gift and the road work completed as a New Year’s gift, Madam MP. This will provide the citizens with quality infrastructure, something that has been strongly advocated but is currently lacking,” the Minister ended.
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