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iStock photo depicting a leaking tap in the kitchen, faulty faucet and water dripping.
The National Water Commission (NWC) is partnering with the HEART/NSTA Trust to deploy trained leak detection specialists to assess pensioners’ homes, aiming to reduce unnecessary water charges.
This initiative is part of the government’s effort to ease the cost of living for pensioners, Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change Matthew Samuda announced during this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing.
“For pensioners who have been disconnected because of high water bills [due to] leaks, the NWC will work with HEART and its tranche of trained leak detection specialists to ensure that they go to the homes of pensioners at no cost to them to identify the leaks,” Minister Samuda explained. He emphasized that this measure is critical to preventing pensioners from falling back into a cycle of disconnection.
The initiative coincides with a broader relief effort under a three-month amnesty starting January 2, 2025. This amnesty will see outstanding debts of some NWC customers being fully written off. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking at the 81st annual conference of the Jamaica Labour Party at the National Arena in St. Andrew, highlighted that pensioners and beneficiaries of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) will be prioritized under this programme.
Dr Taneisha Ingleton, Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, underscored the institution’s readiness to support the initiative. “We have courses in water technology, so we are able to help the NWC or any area of government in any specific area that they may need our support,” she said. Dr. Ingleton added that the Trust is well-equipped to mobilize trained specialists and guide them toward implementing solutions effectively.
This collaboration reflects the government’s commitment to social intervention, ensuring vulnerable groups like pensioners are not disproportionately affected by high utility costs.
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