Residents of Wickie Wackie in St. Andrew are grappling with a persistent crisis—discolored, sediment-laden water flowing from their taps. For years, the community has endured a rusty hue and frequent water lock-offs, with no long-term solution from the National Water Commission (NWC). Frustration has reached a boiling point as residents bear the burden of paying for a service they describe as unfit for use.
A Lingering Issue
The problem, described by residents as decades-long, worsened significantly after construction began on the Southern Coastal Highway connecting St. Andrew and St. Thomas. Evelyn Graham, a resident for six years, lamented that the water is often “red, red, red,” requiring hours of flushing to become slightly clearer. For Graham, even attempting to wash clothes becomes an ordeal, with stains on fabrics becoming a common frustration.
Another resident, Natshon Edwards, recounted a relentless cycle of complaints to the NWC, which has yielded little progress. Despite promises of escalation and occasional visits from representatives, Edwards noted no meaningful resolution. “It’s unbearable,” he said. “We’re paying for water we cannot use.”
Survival Tactics
Faced with the unreliable water quality, residents have adopted their own makeshift solutions. Graham stores water in drums, allowing sediment to settle before using the clearer surface water for cleaning. Others, like Imani Tafari-Ama, have invested in costly filtration systems. Tafari-Ama shared that even with a double-filter system, her household is not spared from reddish-brown sediment infiltrating the pipes. Replacing filters every three to four months costs her approximately $10,000 each time.
The financial burden extends to purchasing clean water. Edwards spends $20,000 monthly on tank refills, while Graham regularly buys bottled water. Residents agree that these additional expenses compound the injustice of paying monthly NWC bills for a service that fails to meet their basic needs.
Demanding Action
The root of the issue, according to some residents, lies in outdated infrastructure. Dahlia, a resident of over 30 years, speculated that the aging clay pipes in the area are a major contributor to sedimentation in the water. She called for a structured and sustainable approach to address the problem, suggesting a combination of re-piping, regular flushing, and enhanced filtration systems at the source.
“It may be costly, but we cannot continue like this,” Dahlia insisted. “The situation demands urgent attention, as this is not just about inconvenience—it’s about health, dignity, and fairness.”
Community Frustration Boils Over
The lack of consistent communication from the NWC has only exacerbated tensions. Edwards described a prolonged and frustrating back-and-forth with the agency, while Graham expressed a feeling of helplessness. “We are left with no choice but to pay for a service that punishes us,” she said.
As residents of Wickie Wackie continue to navigate daily life around their water challenges, their collective plea is clear: they need clean water, fair billing practices, and immediate infrastructural improvements. Without decisive action, the community remains stuck in a cycle of frustration, expense, and unmet expectations.
A Call for Accountability
Wickie Wackie’s plight reflects a broader issue of water management in underserved communities across Jamaica. Residents urge the NWC and local authorities to prioritize the health and well-being of citizens over cost-cutting measures. “We deserve better,” said Tafari-Ama. “This is a basic human need, not a luxury.”
For now, the residents remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that actionable solutions will transform their pipes from a source of stress to a source of clean, life-giving water.
