NWC: Plans in place to expand Hermitage Dam as 100th year of operations approaches

Acting-president of the National Water Commission, NWC, Kevin Kerr says plans are in place to expand the Hermitage Dam in Stony Hill, St. Andrew as it nears its 100th year of operation.

Kerr was responding to queries by chair of the Public Accounts Committee, PAC, Julian Robinson, during Tuesday’s sitting of the committee at Gordon House.

Nationwide News has been tracking the levels of the two major water storage facilities that supply the Corporate Area, the Hermitage Dam and the Mona Reservoir as the country continues to weather a drought.

According to the NWC website, as at Tuesday October 20, Hermitage is at 48.3 per cent of its capacity, while Mona stands at 36.1 per cent.

Kerr says Mona will also be examined for a potential expansion project.

And Kerr says it will take more than US$1 billion to resolve sewage issues in downtown, Kingston.

Kevin Kerr, acting-president of the NWC.

The price tag comes amid persistent sewage overflows in the market and shopping districts and surrounding areas.

Earlier this month, the NWC had to repair the Darling Street Wastewater Plant following infrastructure failures and subsequent overflows.