Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
THE JAMAICA Public Service Company (JPS) has commissioned a water pressure pump for the Old Harbour Bay Primary School to ease the school's chronic water problem.
According to JPS's Region Two Public Relations Officer, Jasmine Wright, the company spent $130,000 to buy and install the pump at the institution.
Ms. Wright said the light and power company's executives had heard of the school's plight, and wanted to help.
Earlier this year, the school had been forced to operate on a two-shift system, and the 700-plus student population was relegated to using one block of the sanitary conveniences as the other block was out of commission.
WATER PRESSURE WEAKENED
The water pressure subsequently weakened and it became oftentimes difficult to flush the system the required three times per day, Ms. Wright said her colleagues at the JPS were "good corporate citizens" who were forced to act and identify the funds which would be donated to facilitate the installation of the pump. The machine, installed yesterday, is capable of pumping 10 pounds of water per second.
PRINCIPAL PLEASED
Michael Wade, principal of the institution, said the timing of the pump's arrival was very important as the lack of proper water to flush the system could have jeopardised the student population of the school.
Mr. Wade breathed a sigh of relief, commenting that the school, which had once had a single shift system, had been forced to operate on a two-shift system as of September because of the problem.
"The pump will work very well to ease the condition," he said.
The school will continue to operate on a two-shift system until the completion of its new block, housing the new sanitary conveniences, by the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR). The new block will have a waste land system.
