Government of Saint Lucia refutes media claims of water importation

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 – The Government of Saint Lucia categorically refutes claims circulating in the local media about the importation of water from the Commonwealth of Dominica into Saint Lucia. Government wishes to make it absolutely clear that no Government agency including the Water and Sewage Company has initiated or completed any process geared towards the procurement of water and subsequent importation into Saint Lucia.

The Minister for Communications, Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Hon. Guy Joseph stated recently that importation of water was not an option at this juncture and that the situation was sufficiently under control. The Minister further stated that importation of water was an extremely expensive option which would have to be avoided at all cost. The claims therefore within the local Press of water was being imported into the island is completely unfounded and is only contributing towards the unnecessary heightening of anxiety and alarm.

Enquiries by the Office of Government Press Secretary with the General manager of the Water and Sewage Authority, Mr. John Joseph, President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, Mr. Anthony Bowen, and the General Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO), Mr. Bernard Etinoffe confirm that no such process involving water importation from Dominica had been set in motion.

The Government of Saint Lucia would like to inform the public that there are certain requirements, which MUST be met in relation to the importation of water into Saint Lucian. This would involve the following:

1. The submission of a certificate by the local interest to the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health from the source of the water confirming that the water has met required standards.

2. Provision of information to the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health on the mode of transportation to Saint Lucia including date and Port of arrival.

3. Imported water would have to be tested on arrival at the particular port to ascertain its suitability for consumption before it can be approved for consumption on the island.

The Water and Sewage Company has made it clear that it would not be prepared to add water from external sources into its supplies for fear of possible contamination. The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association on the other hand has declared that for the time being they are satisfied with the effort of the local Water and Sewage Authority in meeting their needs and managing the current situation. Mr. Bowen explained that the SLHTA had simply made what he described as an exploratory move in writing to the DOWASCO to determine their willing to assist if required. During a telephone conversation between the Mr. Bernard Etinoffe, DOWASCO’s General Manager and Government’s Press Secretary, the Head of the Dominican water company confirmed that he did receive a letter from the SLHTA but that there were no discussions about actual shipment of water to Saint Lucia.

The Government of Saint Lucia assures the public that measures are being put in place to effectively manage existing supplies and to ensure that future demands are met. Cabinet is currently reviewing proposals involving the initiation of exploration for ground water sources. Government encourages all Saint Lucians to cooperate with the measures currently in place under the recently issued Declaration of Water Related Emergency and further to employ necessary water conservation measures in their day to day activities. Government reminds all Saint Lucians that the current situation is one of national concern that requires understanding and cooperation at all levels. Government therefore calls on all interest to desist from politicizing and or sensationalizing the current water situation.

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