Secure Water & Sewerage Connection Approvals

A reliable and potable water supply service is essential to every development project. Every development plan has to answer the critical questions of “How will water be supplied to the development facility?” and “How will the development treat and dispose of the wastewater and sewage generated by the facility?”  Although the National Water Commission (NWC) is the primary provider of potable water and sewerage services in Jamaica, the sector also includes a number of private entities which have been licensed by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to provide services in specific areas; and the various Municipal Corporations (MCs) are also involved in water services island wide.


Today, the NWC produces more than ninety percent (90%) of Jamaica's total potable water supply from a network of more than 160 underground wells, over 116 river sources (via water treatment plants) and 147 springs.  In addition, approximately 30% of Jamaica's population is served by sewerage facilities operated by the NWC. This includes some small sewerage systems, utilizing package plants in various locations throughout the country.  


At some point during the implementation of your development, in order for it to be supplied with water or for wastewater and sewage to be disposed of properly, you will most likely need to apply to the NWC for your water and sewerage connections.


For more information about securing your water and sewerage connections see the step-by-step business process guideline below.

How to secure water and sewerage connections.

The Process
Process Quick Tips
  1. Customers must pay the cost for pipes, fittings, labour and all other costs associated with the installation and connection of a supply to their premises.  Pipes which are laid outside the boundaries of the customer’s premises belong to and are the responsibility of the National Water Commission. Where meters are placed outside the premises, piping from the meter to the premises is the responsibility of the customer.
  2. Metering of a customer’s supply line is at the discretion of the NWC. Where no meter has ever been on the premises, the consumption charged will be stipulated by the NWC and will be subject to review from time to time.
  3. Where the service applied for, is for construction purposes the applicable rate for water consumed is the commercial rate. It is incumbent on the residential customer to inform the NWC when such construction is completed so that a review can be done of the rate where applicable.
  4. If an additional supply is required, in addition to an existing supply, then the current account(s) for the existing supply(ies) must first be paid up to date and settled.
  5. Most development projects can be supplied/serviced by mutual agreement to connect to existing NWC facilities.  However, some new development projects cannot be served from the existing networks and would require either new facilities (constructed either by NWC or by the developer) or the expansion of the existing facilities.  Like in many other countries, Impact Fees or System Development Charges (SDC’s) negotiated by the NWC are designed to recover a proportion of the capital costs required to improve, expand or create the required water and/or sewerage facilities in order to meet the needs of new development projects.
  6. Supply of water to others, whether sold or free of charge, is illegal and can result in disconnection and prosecution.
  7. The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) regulates the water and sewerage sector in Jamaica which includes the National Water Commission, other water and sewerage providers, and the National Irrigation Commission. The OUR determines the rates that are to be charged and service level standards applicable to all service providers.

For more information about securing your water and sewerage connections… Visit the NWCs website.​​​​