Before the end of this month, the Central Water and Sewerage Authority will announce an increase in the cost to the consumer of the delivery of water and solid waste services.{{more}}

This announcement was made yesterday by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Ralph Gonsalves during the 2012 Budget Address at the House of Assembly.

Explaining the need for the increase, the Prime Minister said it is vital that we maintain and extend water and solid waste services at the highest quality level.

“Currently, the cost of these services can hardly be covered by the price paid by consumers, much less to pay for the recent capital developments such as at the Windward Water Supply System, and further planned expansions nationally to meet growing demands from both business and domestic consumers. The data show that the cost of delivery of water and solid waste services to the consumer is significantly lower than elsewhere in the Caribbean,” the Prime Minister said.

He reminded members of the House and the general pubic that the CWSA is known throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the region and in informed international circles, for superb delivery of its services.

“We must keep it so and build upon it in every respect. Short memories may not recall that in the first half of 2010, when a severe drought struck the Caribbean, the consumers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines barely felt it in their water taps. While neighbouring countries such as Trinidad, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Barbados had abundant water woes, we had hone. So let us not forget all this,” he said.

The Prime Minister pleaded with consumers not to be “demagogic or unreasonable” about the price increase.