After several months constructing a water system in the East Portland community of Islington, there is now a major setback.

The engineering company, Geo-Tech Exploration Services alleges that a failure on the part of the National Water Commission (NWC) to cover additional costs to continue the project,  is the reason for the delay.

Wilburn Kerr lives in Islington and has been overseeing the water project for the community.

He says when the project started in early July it was the first time steps were taken to construct a reliable water network throughout the community.

Several months later and the residents of Islington are facing another setback. 

Damion Reynolds is a supervisor at Geo-Tech Exploration Services. He says the intended depth to reach the water was 600 feet. However, when they drilled to that depth they still didn’t reach the water table.

These delays, he says  are costing Geo-Tech much more than  they anticipated.

Kerr says the delays have caused great distress,  as the residents of Islington and surrounding communities  are  relying on the extensive water upgrade to an ease their plight.

Reynolds suggests they might have to change the location.