The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO), the Windward & Leeward Brewery (HEINEKEN) and GIZ

Water security is a top priority for Saint Lucia. To break the cycle of recurrent water security challenges in Vieux Fort, the ‘Vieux Fort Water Supply Redevelopment Plan’ was commissioned by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning & Social Security (MoFEAPSS, 2014a,b),which was jointly financed by the ‘Caribbean Development Bank’ (CDB) and the GIZ-implemented ‘Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions’ (CATS) program.

The underlying study points to a number of recommended interventions including:

• Water source augmentation through the upgrade of raw water intakes, relocation to higher elevations and increased abstraction;
• Increase the efficiency, effectiveness and capacity of water treatment facilities from 1.8 to 4.8 million gallon per day (mgd) to meet current and projected future (2033) demands;
• Leak detection and repair (replacement as needed) for raw water and treated water pipe network and distribution lines to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW);
• Enhance the treated water storage capacities for the supply of water to communities in and around the Vieux Fort area by the replacement of the 300,000 imp gallon storage tank in Grace, which is in a state of disrepair, and installation of new storage tanks in Laborie and La Tourney;
• Supplement existing treated water storage tanks in communities and provide buffer capacities that will reduce the incidence of disruptions in the public supplies during periods of drought, extreme weather events and disasters.        

This study forms the basis for the ‘Sixth Vieux Fort Water Supply Redevelopment Project’ – Saint Lucia (CDB, 2014). However, due to limited finances, the project cannot address all of the recommended interventions proposed by the MoFEAPSS (2014a,b) redevelopment study. Yet, investments in treated water storage facilities and other infrastructure of vulnerable rural communities, especially La Haut, Upper Grace, and Pierrot, are critically needed so as to build climate resilience and improve water security. These water infrastructure enhancements will have tangible benefits to the respective communities in terms of safeguarding potable water supply. They shall also complement the focal Vieux Fort Water Supply Redevelopment Project.

This evening at 5:30 p.m. the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO), the Windward & Leeward Brewery (HEINEKEN) and GIZ, through its International Water Stewardship Programme (IWaSP), further develop the water stewardship partnership aimed at further improving water security for Vieux Fort and surroundings, with its second civil society meeting. Its hoped to be an exciting one.