NWC intensifies disconnection drive across St Catherine and other parishes

The commission confirmed that disconnection activities are now in full force, following what it described as extensive attempts over the past several months to assist customers in settling outstanding balances. These efforts included a five-month amnesty period, a customer relief programme throughout 2025, and widespread community engagement initiatives carried out during the first quarter of 2026.

According to the NWC, these outreach efforts were comprehensive, ranging from house-to-house visits and community customer service days to weekly text message reminders, town crier announcements, public notices, and community meetings. Despite these measures, a significant number of customers reportedly failed to take advantage of the relief opportunities offered.

As a result, the commission has escalated its strategy, which now includes widespread disconnections, the issuance of demand letters, and the initiation of legal proceedings against delinquent accounts.

For the remainder of April 2026, targeted disconnection activities will focus on several communities where prior engagement efforts have already been completed.

In St Catherine, affected areas include White Water Meadows, Eltham Acres, Eltham View, Victoria/Banbury, and sections of Portmore.

Other parishes slated for similar action include Clarendon, with communities such as York Town, Four Paths, Milk River, and Deeside among those listed. In Kingston and St Andrew, areas like Duhaney Park and Seaview are also being targeted, while in St Thomas, Botany Bay, White Horses, and Morant Bay are included.

The initiative extends to St Mary, Portland, and St Ann, with multiple communities identified for disconnection activities as part of the islandwide push.

The NWC maintains that it has exhausted all reasonable avenues of appeal and outreach, noting that the current measures are necessary to ensure fairness to customers who consistently meet their payment obligations. The Commission emphasized that revenue collection is critical to maintaining and upgrading the country’s water supply infrastructure.

Customers are being reminded that their bill payment due date serves as sufficient notice that their service may be disconnected if payment is not made. The NWC also warned that no further notice will be issued prior to disconnection.

While the commission says it remains open to working with customers experiencing genuine financial hardship, it stressed that continued non-payment cannot be sustained. Affected customers are being urged to visit the nearest NWC commercial office to settle outstanding balances or enter into formal payment arrangements to avoid service disruption.

With disconnection crews now mobilized, the NWC is making it clear that the responsibility now rests with customers to act promptly to maintain their water service.