Residents of West Green, St James, are voicing their frustration over the prolonged delay in restoring water services more than a week after Hurricane Melissa devastated the area. The lack of access to clean water has raised significant health concerns, with locals fearing the spread of waterborne diseases and skin infections. During a visit by Observer Online on Thursday, the community was seen sifting through mud-soaked belongings, struggling to recover from the floodwaters that inundated their homes. Shelly, a resident, highlighted the dire situation, stating, ‘It’s rough, especially without electricity and water to clean up. We have to fetch water from the river, which is exhausting and unsafe.’ She also expressed worries about potential health risks, including skin bacteria and water contamination. A water quality specialist from the Ministry of Health and Wellness arrived to distribute flyers advising residents on water treatment methods, such as filtering and boiling, to ensure safety. The specialist also warned about the risk of contamination from rats and insects, a concern that was underscored when a rat scurried past during the visit. Lloyd Bailey, a soil scientist and community member, criticized the slow response to the crisis, stressing the need for immediate access to basic necessities like water and food. He also pointed out long-standing issues with Jamaica’s drainage infrastructure, describing it as fundamentally flawed and incapable of handling heavy rainfall. Bailey emphasized that Hurricane Melissa should serve as a wake-up call for the country to address these systemic problems.