The actual construction is expected to start in January 2006 and be completed before summer 2007. The contractor, M&M Jamaica Ltd, was selected through a competitive tendering procedure, according to the European Commission.

The signing of the contract comes after years of preparation of the second phase of the Rural Water Supply Project, which is financed by the European Union (EU), through the 8th European Development Fund (EDF).

The project's objective, according to the European Commission, is to extend and improve the water supply services in the rural communities of Milk River, Hope Bay and Christiana/Spalding with the overall aim to improve sanitation, increase the standard of living and reduce poverty in these rural areas.

Under the project, new bore hole pumps will be installed, while there will be improvements in the water treatment plant and intake structures. There will also be the construction of additional reservoirs and replacement of damaged transmission and distribution of new booster pumps, rehabilitation of pumping stations and the replacement of existing service connections.