Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The National Water Commission (NWC) says it will not jeopardise the life of its staff in a bid to restore water to thousands of customers in western Jamaica who have been without regular supply of the live-saving commodity since last week.

Charles Buchanan, the corporate communications manager for the NWC, told The Gleaner yesterday that a significantly blocked intake and extremely high turbidity levels at the company's Great River Plant have combined to disrupt water supply from the plant.

"The intake has been blocked and they have to be cleaned manually. This would mean that we would have to send men into the raging waters to have this done and we are not going to do that," said Buchanan.

Since last week, communities such as Glendevon, Norwood, Paradise, Flankers, Brandon Hill, Rose Heights, Farm Heights, Unity Hall and Cornwall Courts in St James; and Lucea, Sandy Bay and Hopewell in Hanover have been without their regular water supply.

Buchanan yesterday appealed to persons to be patient saying the commission is seeking to have regular supply of water restored as quickly as possible.