Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

Fenton Ferguson (centre) listens while National Water Commission's (NWC) chief engineer, Frankie Williams (left) makes a point. Looking on is NWC's technical service manager, Ajaykumar. The group was on tour of the NWC's facilities in Mandeville last week. - Contributed

Mandeville, Manchester:

Junior minister for Water in the Ministry of Housing, Trans-port, Water and Works, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, toured the parish last Friday, inspecting a number of National Water Commission (NWC) facilities.

Mandeville's water woes go as far back as 1993 when the Government promised to improve the 30-year-old Greater Mandeville Water Supply system, as the daily water lock-offs in the town were having severe negative economic impacts on the business community.

Despite some improvements to the water supply system, the town is still without adequate water. Ferguson said he is aware of the problems the town is experiencing, adding that upgrading the water supply system is costly. He, however, disclosed that the Government is in the process of looking at drilling a well in the Goshen area of St. Elizabeth, which will add two million gallons to the Mandeville water system by 2008.

New treatment plant

The Junior Minister also said that the towns of Christiana and Spaldings will be benefiting from work now in progress at the Moravia Water Supply system near Christiana. The project include the construction of a new treatment plant, storage tanks, new water mains and a high-lift pumping station.

He said by the year 2010 the Moravia water system will be able to provide the communities it serves with an additional 800 gallons of water. The projects will cost approximately $150 million.