Minister of Housing, Envi-ronment, Water and Local Gover-nment, Dr Horace Chang recently urged residents of Portmore to be vigilant in ensuring that they get value for money from the improvement works to water supply and sewerage services being undertaken by the National Water Commission.

Dr Chang who was speaking at a public meeting organised by the National Water Commission and his ministry, noted that these works are scheduled for completion by March 2013, and are expected to facilitate the increase in the existing supplies to Portmore by 3.0 imgd, allow for more effective flows through the distribution network and reduce the levels of non-revenue-water.

He reiterated that the contract for the KMA Water Supply Project, Lot 2b valued at $1.27 billion was signed some weeks ago and informed them of the implementation plans. The construction works for this component of the project, involves civil and electro-mechanical activities for:-

Supply and construction of 10km of a 750mm ( 30") transmission main from the Rio Cobre pipeline in Caymanas across the Mandela Highway, along Municipal Boulevard and to the existing Marley Hill Reservoir at Braeton;

Supply and installation of secondary pipe mains to reinforce the distribution network in Portmore - Passage Fort Drive - 500m, Germaine Road - 400m, Port Henderson Drive - 1150m and Portmore Parkway - 850m, a total of approximately 3.0km in length and 300mm in diameter;

Supply and installation of 10 bulk flow meters to assist in the monitoring and control of the levels of non-revenue water.

The minister also spoke to the improvement plans for sewerage service for the community, which will result in the decommissioning of four wastewater treatment plants - Bridgeport, Indepen-dence City, Hamilton Gardens and Caymanas Gardens. All flows from these decommissioned facilities will be directed to the 75,000 cubic metres/day Soapberry Wastewater Treat-ment Plant.

The public meeting, held at the Holiness Christian Church on Hellshire Road, was attended by residents from many different sections of Portmore who took the opportunity to direct their varied comments and complaints to the minister for his on-the-spot response.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Mayor of Portmore Keith Hinds, and Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson as well as a number of councillors from the municipality.