Page 113 - JSIF Magazine Approved-v2-web4
P. 113
Community Developed Water supply
A Sustainable
Model in
Hampstead, St
Mary, Jamaica W.I.ByOmarSweeney
Managing Director, JSIF
INTRODUCTION Six (6) Communities in eastern Jamaica were selected of which
One common challenge in development planning of traditional Hampstead, St. Mary was one. Hampstead is a rural community
water systems is determining who will own and maintain the
system. Typically these systems are owned and located in St. Mary. In 2004, the population of 1,650
operated by a Parish Council or the National Water persons was made up of 990 males, and 660 females.
Commission. However, there are communities that There was a visible presence of mixed quality homes
fall between the gaps where no such owner exists. and basic infrastructure. The level of commercial and
Community Operated Water Systems (COWS) was industrial development included bars, restaurants,
a pilot project funded by the Poverty Reduction a small chicken rearing and processing plant and a
Programme (PRP) in 2004 utilizing a European Union grant. garment factory. The social infrastructure present included a
Under this project, community groups would maintain the basic and all-age school.
system, be responsible for keeping the pipeline in good repair
and ensure the water was chlorinated in addition to billing Water pipes were found installed in more than 50% of the
residents and collecting money for connection to the system. homes, with the supply being intermittent and limited to two
It was agreed that the Parish Council would provide technical or three days per week. There were also ten standpipes in the
support as needed. community. At least 50% of the houses used only an outside
113
