PIPELINE INTER-CONNECTION WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT AT THE INTERSECTION OF WEST KING’S HOUSE ROAD AND CONSTANT SPRING ROAD

The National Water Commission (NWC) wishes to advise our valued customers, that major pipeline work along the Constant Spring Road will require the shutdown of operations at the Constant Spring Treatment Plant from 8 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2020, until 6 pm on Friday, April 10, 2020.

This planned disruption in supply is necessary to facilitate pipeline inter-connection work, which forms part of the final stages of the Major Infrastructure Development Programme’s pipeline work along Constant Spring Road in St Andrew. For this work period, one of two major final inter-connections will be made which involves the permanent decommissioning of the aged 500 mm cast iron pipeline and the commissioning of the newly laid 700 mm ductile iron pipelines.  The NWC will also re-establish the interconnection of the Constant Spring system with the Mona System.

In order to effectively carry out the improvement work, it is necessary to scale down operations and this will result in some customers experiencing a reduction in supply from 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 9.  The culmination of this work will see significant improvement in the consistency and reliability of water supply to customers.  

                                   

Timeline:                     8 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2020 to 6 pm on Friday, April 10, 2020

Areas affected: -       Constant Spring Grove, Constant Spring Road, Manning’s Hill Road, Crane Ave, White Hall Gardens, Beverly Dale, Sections of Red Hills Road and Calabar Mews, Havendale, Valentine Gardens, Meadowbrook, Queensboro and Roehampton, Sections of Queensborough, Sections of Duhaney Park, sections of Patrick City and Pembroke Hall, Hughenden and Sections of Molynes Road.

Areas below the Grant’s Pen including Eastwood Park Gardens, Molynes Road, Hagley Park Road, Washington Boulevard, Dunrobin Avenue including Ziadie Gardens, State Gardens, La Ventura Dunrobin Courts and Acres II, Half Way Tree, Camperdown Terrace, Half Way Tree, sections of Hagley Park Road, Half Way Tree Road and roads leading off, Maxfield Avenue, and all Roads leading off, Richmond Park, Sections of Waltham Road.

Customers may contact the NWC to request trucked water and the public is being asked to exercise patience and understanding as these activities are being carried out.

Customers are also being reminded that as part of the natural re-charging process of the network, the restoration process will not be immediate but will instead be gradual.  

The NWC regrets any inconvenience caused and seeks to assure the public that every effort will be made to restore regular supply within the shortest possible time.

Letter From A Listener To The NWC

(Slighted Edited)

Dear Mr. Barnett

Reference Number - 341-6045 – Overflowing sewage at 28 Hurdles Avenue, Stadium Gardens

The residents of Stadium Gardens, in particular Hurdles Avenue and Sprint Close are totally frustrated with the National Water Commission, Housing Agency of Jamaica, Ashtrom and any other body that is associated with the building of this scheme.  Since last year, the citizens have been undergoing constant issues with overflowing sewage and the foul odour associated with same.  To date the citizens have not been told the reasons for the numerous overflows of sewage and the measures that are being made to have the situation resolved.  The issue is a threat to public health and safety, as there are several children living in the vicinity the youngest being 1 month old; Children have to be inhaling the obnoxious odour from the overflowing sewage.  I strongly believe that this nuisance has caused several outbreaks of bumps on my son’s skin.

Since writing this letter on May 13, 2016, the sewage began overflowing approximately 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning; I called Melanie McCalla who called the mobile team; I’m uncertain whether they actually came.  At about 12:30pm I saw a team from NWC, they were doing other things to the pump however when I got home the sewage stopped running.  On Sunday morning, approximately 10:00 a.m. the foul odour followed by the overflowing sewage started again.  I called Ms. McCalla again (several times throughout the day); at 6:15p.m the team advised that the line was blocked and at that time nothing can be done until Monday, May 16, 2016.  May 18 and May 19, 2016, the same thing happened.

When will NWC fix the problem, as a citizen  I am paying my water bill which includes a cost for sewage; as a result I don’t believe I should be at a discomfort living like this.  My nose is constantly burning me as the sewage odour is unbearable.  The residents advised that the pump-house was to be expanded/ upgraded to accommodate Phase 2; if this was done the residents are unaware as there has always been an issue with sewage in the scheme.  Now there is Phase 3 when will this situation be resolved?  If this continues much longer I may have to withhold the payment for the sewage section on my bill as I am living and breathing sewage.

I would like to know what plans NWC has in correcting this issue.

Your urgent attention is required on this matter.

Copy: Peter Knight – Chief Executive Officer, National Environment Planning Association

Angella –Brown Burke, Mayor Kingston and St Andrew

Julian Robinson, Member of Parliament South East St. Andrew

Andrew Swaby, Councillor, Vineyard Town Division

Vernon Darby, At Your Service – Nationwide News Network

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