Government investing billions in new water projects

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the US$78-million public-private Rio Cobre Water Treatment Plant, which will be based in Content, St Catherine, is now at its implementation phase, as ground has been broken for the project.

The project, which forms part of a broader initiative by the Government to improve water supply across the country, is slated to be completed in approximately two years.

"When completed, in two years, this plant will provide 15.5 million gallons of water daily, supporting distribution in Kingston and St Andrew, Portmore, and Spanish Town," said Holness, who made the disclosure while making his recent contribution to the 2024-25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives.

The need to develop a comprehensive plan to address water distribution in Jamaica came into sharp focus last year during a protracted period of drought, arguably the nation's worst in recent history. In his presentation to the Parliament, Holness said the Government is looking at spending over J$5 billion in 2024-25 to improve the water supply to some 165,000 Jamaicans. He also noted that J$2.5 billion will be going into developing sewerage infrastructure.

In delivering the recent Throne Speech, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen stated that the Government has programmed some 21 water supply upgrading and expansion projects for the new fiscal year, adding that it is expected to cost over J$2.5 billion.