Solar power to provide water

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The Government often comes and tells us we are facing a drought, and that we'll have to do without tap water for hours each day. We here in Jamaica have never experienced drought to the levels that our African brothers and sisters do.

In Jamaica, the public's money is being wasted here and there, and yet we do not have sustainable water supply. Where I am living in Clarendon (Longville Park), the water goes away so often, at the rate of a day and a half out of every week on average.

The Martha Brae River always has water, also the Rio Grande, Cabarita River, Black River, YS Falls, Somerset Falls, Dunn's River Falls, Rio Minho in the hills of Clarendon, among the many other springs and falls across the island of Jamaica.

Why can't the Government be more responsible and have sustainable potable water in 90 per cent of homes in Jamaica?

A well-thinking Government would build solar-powered pumping stations to run the turbines, allowing constant flow of water without the usual disruption of supply whenever the Jamaica Public Service Company feels like going on strike or whenever lightning damages any of their equipment.

The cost of potable water does not have to be expensive if we resort to using alternative energy sources. I am begging for the brilliant people to do something about this.

PAUL DAVIS

paul_davidson59@yahoo.com

Longville Park, Clarendon