5,000 Manchester residents to benefit from $123m water infrastructure upgrade

MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Approximately 5,200 residents across several communities in Greater Mandeville are set to benefit from improved water reliability and service efficiency following the commissioning of the 123.8-million Hopeton Road to Waltham Road Pipeline Project.In a Thursday statement, the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change says the project, implemented by the National Water Commission (NWC) under the Greater Mandeville Water Supply Improvement Programme, forms part of the wider strategy to modernise Jamaica's water infrastructure, improve service reliability and strengthen water security across the island.The project involved the replacement of an aged 16-inch asbestos cement transmission main that had exceeded its useful service life and was contributing to significant water losses.Approximately 3 kilometres of 400 mm ductile iron transmission pipeline were installed between Hopeton Road and Waltham Road, along with associated valves and supporting infrastructure.The upgraded transmission main is expected to improve water delivery to approximately 1,300 households in Hopeton, Waltham, Perth, Bromfield Street, Airey Mount, Manchester Road, May Day, Woodlawn Road and surrounding communities.Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda said the project represents one of several critical investments being undertaken to address long-standing water supply challenges in Manchester.Over the last four years, the Government has invested approximately J2.5 billion in upgrading the Greater Mandeville Water Supply System. This project is one important link in that chain of investments and will improve service to more than 5,000 residents. We are now approaching the point where communities will begin to experience the full benefit of these investments and the improved reliability they were designed to deliver, Samuda said.Member of Parliament for Manchester North Western, Mikael Phillips, welcomed the commissioning and commended the teams responsible for delivering the project.Residents have been waiting for improvements to the Greater Mandeville Water Supply System for many years, and today's commissioning represents meaningful progress. I commend the NWC team, the engineers and the contractors for successfully delivering this project, which will improve water service and quality of life for communities across the area, Phillips said.Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Rhoda Crawford, was represented at the ceremony by Custos of Manchester, Sally Porteous, who described the project as a significant milestone for communities that have long struggled with inconsistent water supply.