End in sight for Santa Cruz water woes

André Gordon, Gleaner Writer

SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth:

RESIDENTS OF Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth are to get a reprieve soon, as the National Water Commission (NWC) is to pump water from the old well at Burnt Ground to the major town.

Santa Cruz residents have been without piped water since heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Nicole pounded the island in September, flooding the well.

Speaking yesterday during the parish council monthly meeting, mayor of Black River, Jeremy Palmer, told the council of the NWC's plan, adding that the well located at Content was still out of commission.

Palmer also noted that a private citizen of the Santa Cruz area has offered to sell the NWC water from his own private well, noting that tests have already been carried out on the samples, and the water is fit for consumption.

The residents currently receive water from the parish council at intervals. Angry residents demonstrated against the lack of water last month.

Errol Hummingbird, councillor for the Ipswich division, said the council should do all it could to supply water to the residents.

But according to Palmer, the council does not have the resources to supply water to NWC customers, especially in Santa Cruz.

"We need free water and gas oil, or they give us the water (NWC) and we give them the minimal cost of the transportation, we have exceeded the budget."

Meanwhile, councillor for the Newmarket division, Ernest Hendricks, stated that the council must also consider a businesslike approach like the NWC.