Old Harbour residents without water face uncertain wait

The National Water Commission (NWC) has confirmed that electro-mechanical issues are affecting the pumping unit, forcing a delay in the resumption of service. The affected areas include the Claremont and Belmont Park housing schemes, as well as Bodles, Old Harbour town centre, the Myton Gully bridge area, and the Rhone Park Housing Scheme.

An assessment is currently underway to determine the scope of the problem and to establish a timeline for restoration, but as of November 4 the NWC could not provide an estimated time for when water will flow again through the pipes.

In the interim, the NWC is advising affected customers to request trucked water by contacting its toll-free customer care line at 888-225-5692.

In a press release, the utility company apologized for the inconvenience and stated it “craves the patience and understanding” of its valued customers as crews work to resolve the issue.

The outage underscores the ongoing challenges faced by some communities following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm that ravaged the island, particularly western Jamaica. 

Power and water had returned to majority of the Old Harbour region within three days after the devastating disaster. However, communities served by the Claremont facility continue to wait for the restoration of water to much angst, as they depend on emergency measures until permanent repairs are made.