The National Water Commission has applied to the Office of Utilities Regulation for a 51 per cent rate increase, its first rate application since 2018, as inflation reaches 8.6 per cent and household costs climb.

NWC says elevated turbidity is affecting some water systems in St Ann and Portland, with customers in affected areas facing low pressure or interrupted supply.

NWC has moved the full restoration target for the Hopewell facility in St Elizabeth to October 31, with several communities still facing low pressure or no water.

NWC says recent rain has improved inflows, but Mona Reservoir stood at 36.3% and Hermitage Dam at 44.9% on October 11, with regulated supply still in effect.

An economist estimates that Jamaica’s drought could cost the economy more than J$35 billion, as forecasters see little relief before the dry season. The water shortage is now weighing on construction, small businesses and the running costs of homes.

High turbidity is affecting NWC water production in sections of Manchester, St Elizabeth, St James and Westmoreland, with some customers experiencing low pressure or interrupted supply.

MPs have questioned whether trucked water sold to households during the drought is always safe, as Corporate Area reservoirs sit below 40 per cent of capacity and the private sector calls for a national reset on water security.

NWC says six St James communities will face a planned water interruption from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on October 8 while JPS conducts maintenance affecting the Canaan Deepwell.

Fourteen St Andrew communities are scheduled to experience a water supply interruption from Sunday morning while urgent cleaning is carried out at the NWC Griffin facility. Restoration is projected for Monday morning.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — If you live in St Mary, you may be looking outside at another wet road, overflowing gutter or rain-soaked…