Water systems back for Christmas

Tuesday 28 December 2010 – Castries, December 26, 2010 -- Residents of the south got a much-desired Christmas gift with the restoration of the water supply in most parts. Heavy rainfall throughout last week caused turbidity in systems around the island, affecting the supply. Crews from the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) had to wait for river levels to subside to resume work on the water infrastructure. The crews were able to restore water to most parts of Dennery by getting the Thomazo, Derniere Riviere and Dennery Village systems back online last Friday, December 24, 2010. However, the Aux Leon system remained closed due to high turbidity and a clogged raw water line. The Grace system in Vieux Fort is also closed due to a clogged raw water line. Crews are working to rectify these problems. All systems in Choiseul, Soufriere and Micoud are back up.

The water supply in the north is at less than half the demand at present as a result of a damaged

pump at the John Compton Dam and pending work on the Millet Gravity line. The inflow of raw

water to the Teddy Theobalds Treatment Plant in Ciceron is at 4.04 MGDs, which is less than

50% of the 8.5MGDs required for the north. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are trying to fix the pump at the Dam. Crews suspended work on the Millet Gravity Intake at the weekend

because of the heavy rainfall and they have not been able to visit the site to assess damage to the

work completed. WASCO crews will resume work on the gravity intake when weather conditions improve.

The Hill 20 system is back up partially: the Marquis Intake is in operation along with the Gravity Intake. The Talvarn intake is currently off because of turbidity. The Anse la Raye system has suffered further damage from the latest rainfall. Twenty-five (25) lengths of pipe were dislodged, including some of the pipes installed by the French. Road access to the Treatment Plant has been lost and the intake completely silted up. Crews are estimating at least one week to restore road access in Anse la Raye before they can begin to address damage to the water infrastructure.

Some electric poles and other infrastructure will have to be relocated since the river has changed its course causing substantial damage to the road infrastructure.

Starting Sunday, December 26, 2010 the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. has implemented

significant rationing measures to compensate for the shortfall in the water supply in the north. For up to date information and rationing schedules, please visit us us on Twitter and Facebook at www.twitter.com/wascoslu and www.facebook.com/wascoslu.

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