JAMAICA | Water Flows Only During Elections, Stewart Town Residents Claim

STEWART TOWN, Trelawny, In a bitter twist of irony that speaks volumes about Jamaica’s political landscape, residents of Stewart Town, Trelawny, have found themselves high and dry since the day after recent by-elections, sparking outrage from community leaders and calls for immediate government intervention.

The stark reality facing this rural community paints a troubling picture: while water flowed freely during the recently ended campaign season, providing daily service in an apparent show of governmental efficiency, taps have run completely dry since November 24 – just 24 hours after the final vote was cast.

“The people of Stewart Town have shown incredible patience, but enough is enough,” declares Paul Patmore, MP Caretaker for South Trelawny, his voice carrying the weight of a community’s frustration.

“It’s unacceptable that the community has been abandoned without a consistent water supply after the elections. Access to water isn’t a privilege—it’s a fundamental human right!” says Patmore in a news release today.

The crisis has left families scrambling to meet basic needs in a community that had previously managed with twice-weekly water service. Local residents, speaking with barely contained anger, describe a desperate situation.

“We cannot survive without water. It’s essential for cooking, cleaning, and even drinking,” one resident shared, echoing the sentiments of many who feel their basic human rights are being violated.

The situation has escalated into a direct challenge to local leadership, with Patmore taking aim at the current Member of Parliament’s apparent inaction.

“Our leaders must show they are committed to serving the people,” he asserts, adding with pointed criticism, “If they cannot advocate for something as essential as water, they should step aside for someone who will,” asks the PNP caretaker candidate.

What began as a local crisis has rapidly evolved into a symbol of broader infrastructure challenges facing Jamaica. Patmore, refusing to let the issue remain confined to parish boundaries, has elevated the conversation to a national level. “This isn’t just a South Trelawny issue—it’s a Jamaica issue,” he emphasizes, calling for collective action to hold the National Water Commission (NWC) accountable.

In response to the mounting crisis, Patmore is pushing for an emergency meeting with government officials and the NWC. His demand for immediate action reflects the urgency of a situation where every passing day without water puts additional strain on community resources and patience alike.

The stark contrast between election-time abundance and post-election scarcity hasn’t been lost on Stewart Town’s residents. As their water tanks run dry and their patience wears thin, the community’s fight for this basic necessity serves as a powerful reminder of the gap between political promises and daily realities in Jamaica’s rural communities. WiredJA