17/09/2026
Yesterday, the Government of Jamaica signed an approximately US$37 million loan agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to launch Phase 1 of the Rural Water Supply Programme. The programme will bring reliable water to six schemes across five parishes: St. Mary (Agualta Vale/Jordan Run, Mason Hall), Trelawny (Albert Town/Ulster Spring), St. Elizabeth (Union/Balaclava), St. Thomas (Port Morant/Airy Castle), and St. Ann (Green Park/Bamboo). An estimated 45,487 Jamaicans stand to benefit, including roughly 8,000 who will gain access to potable water for the very first time.
Speaking at the signing at the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami, Florida, Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness highlighted RWSL's proven track record, dating back to the 1983 Yallahs pipeline in St. Thomas, that still feeds the Mona Dam today. He noted that RWSL is not a water company but an engineering company specializing in water supply systems, with "incredible engineers and a reservoir of knowledge" that make it central to nearly every major water build-out in Jamaica, operating in the capacity of project managers, developers, and engineers.
The project's scope covers land acquisition; rehabilitation and extension of the six water supply systems; engineering consultancy for design, supervision, and bidding documents; supply of vehicles, GIS/IT software, and equipment for the Project Management Unit; institutional strengthening, including a Gender-Responsive and Socially Inclusive Communications Plan; and programme management through a dedicated Project Management Unit within RWSL.
Upon completion, systems will be handed over to the National Water Commission.
Together with the Government and the CDB, RWSL is proud to help build climate-resilient water systems and stronger, more drought-resilient communities across rural Jamaica.