NWC to launch US$32.4mn St Catherine pipeline works

Jamaica's National Water Commission ( NWC) is due to start construction of the Portmore potable water expansion project in southeastern St Catherine parish on November 18. The 15-month project is valued at J$2.8bn (US$32.4mn) and aims to expand potable water supply to local residents and adjoining areas, government news agency JIS reported. Work involves building a new transfer pipeline linking to the Caymanas tank, part of the Rio Cobre water distribution system that is connected to the existing Marley Hill reservoir in Braeton. Additional work entails reinforcing pipelines in Portmore. The project will bring a more reliable supply of water to the area on a regular basis, said housing, environment and water minister Horace Chang. The initiative is part of the Kingston metropolitan area water supply project, which aims to boost supply to the St Catherine parish towns of Greater Spanish Town and Southeast St Catherine as well as parishes Kingston and St Andrew, to keep pace with industrial and housing developments.