Authorities to address concerns of New Harbour Village residents

The issues were raised during a town hall meeting organized but the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce on October 8 at the Old Harbour High School auditorium.

Representatives of the community’s citizen’s association argued that for the last “five years” water supply has been inconsistent with households receiving low pressure in most instances. 

However, National Water Commission (NWC) parish manager for St Catherine Racquel Fagan disputed the timeframe of the disruption while revealing what she said is the main reason for the interruption. 

Fagan, who was a member of the audience and not speaking in an official capacity, said the issue surrounds a malfunctioning pump. 

“It’s not five years,” Fagan, a resident of the neighbouring New Harbour Village II (NHV 2) countered. “The problem started this year. The issue is with the pump. The team has been working on it but we haven’t been able to resolve the problem permanently.”

Fagan went on to implore the St Catherine Municipal Corporation to mandate water storage in its building code, while also highlighting the impact of water theft on the supply of adequate service. 

Mayor Norman Scott, chairman of the municipality, said while it’s not mandatory, the council has taken the decision to implore developers to facilitate storage facility as part of their overall plans. 

Mayor Scott also informed NHV 3 residents that the council has taken note of the collapsed storm water drains and are in discussion with the developer - Gore Development - about the matter. According to the mayor, its engineers observed that the storm drains are made of inferior quality, thus compromising the integrity of the road surface. He further stated that the developer has been warned that future developments will not be approved by the council if the same type of storm drains is used. 

With regards to the improper storage of construction materials being left out in the roadway, the municipal head, said the council will increase its surveillance of the community with a view to warn residents in breach of possibly prosecution. 

New Harbour Village 3 is one of the newest and larger communities in Old Harbour with a total of 992 housing units built around the year 2016.