Urgent action to resolve water woes in Camrose, Bull Bay

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to express the extreme frustration and growing resentment among the residents of Camrose, Bay View, Rest Haven, Copacabana, Ocean Lake, and Eleven Miles due to the persistent water supply issues. The National Water Commission (NWC) has consistently failed to provide a reliable and clean water supply, and the situation has only worsened since the beginning of the South Coast Highway Improvement Project.

Every morning by 8:30, water disappears from our taps for at least an hour. Throughout the day, turning on the faucet becomes a game of chance, hoping for water to flow. When it does return, it is muddy.

It is disheartening to learn from our community’s WhatsApp group that these water woes have plagued the community since 1968. I vividly recall as a child being lifted over roadblocks of old cars and burning tires, erected by frustrated residents protesting water issues. I also recall residents had to wash clothes in the Cane River, a vivid reminder of the desperate measures that residents had to take.

Despite our collective patience, our communities remain calm and composed. However, if this were happening elsewhere, there would likely be widespread protests and roadblocks. It is high time the NWC acknowledges and addresses our concerns.

POOR QUALITY

The most recent interruption, from July 11 to 20, brought nine days of misery. We received notification on July 18 that water would return on July 20, but the supply stopped on 21, in and out multiple times in one day, with extremely poor quality. The NWC’s communication is abysmal, with no mobile notifications or any effort to show they care.

Residents have proposed several simple yet effective solutions to ensure a consistent water supply. The most common suggestion is to secure a generator to use during JPS electricity interruptions. Others have suggested installing an uninterrupted power supply. We understand that the frequent power outages are due to alleged theft of electricity, a common issue in the community where the water is sourced from. This has caused damage to the pump on several occasions and for it to go in and out of service on numerous occasions, resulting in prolonged water shortages. It is rumoured that electricity theft near the pump affects its operation, further complicating our situation.

The health risks associated with the lack of clean water are severe, and the NWC must understand the gravity of these risks. There could easily be a serious disease outbreak if these issues persist.

What do the residents want? A consistent supply of clean, potable water. For this to happen, the NWC must develop and implement a sustainable long-term plan. Accountability and responsibility are crucial in ensuring that the NWC takes the necessary steps to provide us with the essential resource of clean water.

MONIQUE GRANT