Water project springs hope in Old Harbour community

For decades residents have been living without tap water in their homes, but such indignity is about to change soon. Few weeks ago the National Water Commission (NWC) started the process of laying approximately 3000 feet of four-inch galvanized pipes in the community.

While the global coronavirus pandemic is talked about a lot these days, the prospect of having running water in their homes is now discussed in equal measure by anxious residents.

“I’m almost 50 and I have been living here from birth,” said Carlene with her adult daughter Marsha Bryan standing beside her.

“Yu nou ou lang mi waan bade inna mi showa,” she added with glee. “Mi wouldn’t mine mi get wata now. Mi fiil gud a’redi, but mi waan fiil beta.”

They reminded Old Harbour News of days gone by when they had to walk several miles to catch water. Currently they have to purchase water from private trucks at $20,000 per load. That $20,000 worth of water which amounts to a few gallons is shared among each household and neighbouring family members, they told us. The amount received by each household is then used for every possible domestic purpose one can think of, including livestock.  

In truth the community has been going through a wonderful transformation in recent years. The once rugged road has been replaced by pristine asphaltic concrete and with water about to start flowing life is about to get better.

For 80-year-old Lloyd Beckford, who is originally from Kellits, Clarendon “this is progress to me” as he can now look forward to reducing his $11,000 water bill he pays to fill his two tanks.

Once the pipe-laying exercise is complete, residents can go to the NWC office in Spanish Town and apply for the service.

But with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the institutionalization of several measures to curtail the spread throughout the country the long wait could be extended.
However, the NWC said they have been upgrading their online platform to facilitate new applicants, eliminating the need for the people of Brethen Town to leave their homes to apply.