Marlon Vickerman, Gleaner Writer

With the start of the new school year less than three weeks away, the National Water Commission (NWC) has warned several Corporate Area schools to expect major disruptions in their daily water supply.

The advisory, which was issued yesterday by the public utility company, urged schools to put sufficient water storage facilities in place.

"The National Water Commission (NWC) wishes to advise schools in Kingston and St. Andrew that are served by the Hermitage/ Constant Spring water supply system, that they may be affected by the limited rainfall and low storage levels at the start of the new school year," the advisory stated.

"As a result, schools in the Kingston and St. Andrew areas that are served by the Constant Spring treatment plant are being asked to put adequate water-storage facilities in place, so that they may be able to store water for use during the disruption."

Charles Buchanan, NWC corporate public relations manager, said the disruptions in water supplies are to be expected between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. daily. He further noted that, although he was unable to state when regularity would return, this should not adversely affect the operations of schools in the area that have adequate water-storage facilities in place.

Using stored water

"The restoration of normality is not within the control of the commission. The limited rainfall has caused the Constant Spring reservoir to be operating at a significantly low level, approximately 37 per cent to 38 per cent of its capacity," he said.

Mr. Buchanan said water stored by the schools during the after-school periods of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., should suffice the needs of the population for the new school day.

He, however, highlighted that, in the event some schools receive no water supply, the NWC should be contacted.

"We are aware that some areas may receive no water at all due to their physical location, elevation and some other variables," he said. "In this case, they should contact the NWC and we will make the necessary arrangements to have water trucked to them."

While unable to say how many schools in the Corporate Area have adequate storage facilities, Senator Noel Monteith, State Minister in the Ministry of Education and Youth, said schools could not be held without water.

"I would be very concerned if (the opening of) school had to be delayed because of water problems," said Sen. Monteith.

Affected areas

Manor Park, Shortwood Road, Allerdyce, Eastwood Park Gardens, Stillwell Road, Molynes Road, Liguanea, Moreton Park, Norbrook, Cherry Gardens, Havendale, Aylsham, Graham Heights, Acadia, Barbican, Jacks Hill, Hughenden, Smokey Vale, Russell Heights, Half-Way Tree, Mannings Hill Road, Red Hills Road, Constant Spring Road, Cassia Park, Armour Heights, Constant Spring Gardens, Meadowbrook, Grants Pen Road, Charlton Road, sections of Stony Hill, Wireless Station Road and Diamond Road.