By John Myers Jr., Staff ReporterTHE NATIONAL Water Commission (NWC) has softened its stance in the controversy surrounding the disconnection of water supplies in south Manchester and St. Elizabeth and has restored piped water to the communities.
Water was reportedly restored on Wednesday. However, in a determined bid to have residents settle outstanding bills, the NWC said it will be undertaking a comprehensive disconnection drive over the next several days in the communities of New Forest and Alligator Pond in south Manchester, and Comma Pen in St. Elizabeth.
The NWC, in a release issued midweek, indicated that E.G. Hunter, the president of the commission, gave authorisation for the restoration of piped water to paying customers in south Manchester and St. Elizabeth. This comes days after Howard Hamilton, Public Defender, intervened and met with the management of the NWC.
The NWC, in justifying the action taken, said it was owed in excess of $30 million up to the end of May. "We have seen some improved response from persons in the community... However, the response is not what we are expecting," Charles Buchanan, corporate communications manager of the NWC, said on Thursday. According to him, it costs the NWC about $3.1 million per month to operate the New Forest pumping station that supplies water to the communities, but was realising only $250,000 per month in payments. He said just over 100 of the approximately 1,000 customers in the area were paying their bills.
With the restoration of the water supply to the area, Mr. Buchanan admitted that it was possible for illegally connected persons to get water. However, he said the NWC will be making daily visits to the communities to disconnect illegal connections and vigilantly police the pipeline network to prevent reconnection.
DELINQUENT CUSTOMERS
In the meantime, the NWC indicated that it has also intensified efforts against delinquent customers in Kingston. The commission said a number of customers have been prosecuted for trespassing on the works of the NWC, and it has issued warrants of arrest for another 54 persons in the Corporate Area. The commission said last month six persons were convicted for trespassing on the works of the NWC and were fined by the court.
Mr. Hunter emphasised that the NWC will continue the "disconnection offensive", which will include "prosecutions and seizures where warranted."
