Before we die of thirst ...
Published:Monday | July 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
IMAGINE A community that is not provided with running water, but where its residents have to pay a water bill. They have been suffering for the past 20 years under this condition; water runs at random times - if it runs - and 99 per cent of the time only some people get it. The water pressure just doesn't make it to most of the homes.
Even so, the meter-man still comes by, every so often, and reads the meter. They still don't realise that the numbers are not changing. The maintenance worker for the water department visits the area, but can do nothing without management support.
Survival comes from within, neighbours helping neighbours, a gallon of water at a time. At times, a neighbour would collect 55-gallon barrels from the community, fill them at the town standpipe and deliver to their doorsteps, at no charge.
Others will fill two- and three-gallon containers daily for those who live beyond the water supply pressure limits. Survival also comes from the blessing of God - afternoon rain, which is collected and then used for bathing, washing and flushing.
Clean, potable water is what is expected to be provided for each resident, each citizen, each member of our community. Jamaica Water Management has made the effort to install meters to these homes, why not provide the water so the meters don't 'cease-up' and cause more problems. Installing a pressure-boosting station along the line would solve the problem and, at the same time, provide that increase revenue to the Jamaica Water Management.
To have knowledgeable and certified water-management personnel available, and still so many people do not get to enjoy the privilege of running water, is something we can fix. I am sure the National Water Commission's representative will look into this and rescue this community before they all die of thirst.
I am, etc.,
PETER A MOORE
Melbourne, Florida