East End Celebrates Water Supply Grand Opening

Will Jackson (right) receives a special
presentation from Water Authority
representatives Mr. John Henry Ebanks
and Dr. Gelial Frederick-van Genderen
during the grand opening celebrations
for the East End water supply last
week

Tuesday, April 6, 2004

Piped Water became available to East End residents on Wednesday 31 March as the Cayman Islands Water Authority celebrated with a grand opening at Captain George Dixon’s Community Park in East End.

Customers signing up on with the Water Authority on Wednesday had the added incentive of not paying the usual $80 connection fee. “They only need to pay a deposit, which is $50, if they sign up today,” said Vielka Powery-Fallas, Utility Billing Supervisor with the authority.

Hon Arden McLean, MLA for the District of East End, thanked the Director of the Water Authority, Dr Gelia Frederick van-Genderen, for responding to his request for a ‘fast-tracking’ of the original plan, which would have seen priority attention given to the Tortuga Club.

By effecting some of the residential connections from the water main going up to Tortuga Club, Mr McLean said the authorities had made it possible for piped water to flow to homes earlier than had previously been anticipated.

Mr McLean went on to express optimism concerning the attractiveness of the East End as an area for development now that piped water was available.

Dr the Honourable Frank McField, who is responsible for the Water Authority in his role as Minister of Community Services, Youth, Sports, and Gender Affairs, encouraged residents and businesses in East End to hook up to the water supply.

“Just in case you hear anybody say that they do not want to hook up to the water, say ‘yes, hook up.’ The more people you get involved, the more possibility there is for you to get quality water at a cheaper, and therefore more beneficial, price,” he said.

East End Resident Hazel Scott was looking forward to receiving piped water. “I’m making sure I get my water by signing here today. I think that it’s something great that they’re doing in the district, and I appreciate it.”

Ms Scott said that she was presently obtaining her water from a cistern, but that it had to be boiled before she could drink it.

During the evenings celebrations, two presentations were made to the East End Primary School PTA, one of $1,050 to assist with a school trip to Cuba, and the other of $500, for the district school’s library book fund, which is a Rotary Sunrise Club project.

The Water Authority also honoured one of its founding Board members, Will Jackson.

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