Mason Hall residents get piped water

Some 1,200 residents of Mason Hall, a hilly community in western St Mary, now have access to piped water following the completion of phase one of a new multimillion-dollar water supply system installed by the Government.

The new system was commissioned into service on Friday by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Minister with responsibility for water Matthew Samuda during a ceremony at the Mason Hall Primary and Infant School.

Residents will now be able to access piped water by applying to the National Water Commission for individual accounts.

Some residents of Mason Hall have long complained about inadequate or no access to potable water due to insufficient infrastructure in the community.

Samuda disclosed that phase one was completed at a cost of $70 million and indicated that the Government will quickly move to the second phase.

He said phase two, which is expected to cost approximately $102 million, will begin at the start of the new fiscal year and will include the expansion of existing pipelines and some renovation work on the lift station.

A further 1,500 residents are expected to benefit.

According to Samuda, the project will be done in three phases because of its size and magnitude.

“Thank God that we have completed phase one of a long, long awaited project,” he said during the commissioning ceremony.

“$70 million has been invested thus far in your comfort, in your water supply, in your children's future and in the future of Mason Hall,” he added.

The minister with responsibility for water also announced that the installation of a $128 million water supply system for the Eden Park Housing Scheme, also in western St Mary, is closer to fruition.

He said the procurement process has already been completed and the project will now go to Cabinet for approval.

According to Samuda, the 128 houses in the development were handed over to residents under the previous administration without water pipes being laid.

He noted that there are “many” pipes and water systems in St Mary that need to be upgraded and said “everyone has the right to become impatient when they don't have water”.

“We have heard their cries and we will make the investments,” Samuda said.

The Government, through the state-owned Rural Water Supply Limited, has invested approximately $1.3 billion into rural water supply systems over an 18-month period, Samuda revealed.

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