CWSA to spend millions of dollars to improve water treatment and storage capacity – PM

The Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) is planning to spend millions of dollars in the coming months to improve water treatment and storage capacity in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

This measure is being taken even as forecasters predict a further decline in rainfall in 2024.

Speaking on NBC radio on Wednesday January 3, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that this undertaking by the CWSA would be financed through a government loan from the World Bank.

On the same radio programme last Wednesday, CWSA Manager, Winsbert Quow spoke about the EC $15 million project which is aimed at improving the efficiency on all of the water systems.

Quow explained that part of this project includes improvement to the Fancy system, and the development of a well at Overland.

Quow said water will be pumped from this well into a storage tank to help serve the communities of Sandy Bay and Owia.

Work will also be done on the Perseverance system which has experienced some challenges especially over the Christmas season.

Land slippage near to the system caused disruptions to the water supply in Georgetown and surrounding communities over the festive season and into the New Year.

Quow noted that a sedimentation tank will be installed at Perseverance and that storage capacity will be increased in all areas.

At present, the designs for this project are already completed and Quow said that physical work should begin before the end of 2024.

The project to improve water production capacity and the quality of water is expected to be completed over an 18 months period.

Prime Minister Gonsalves noted as well that Meteorologist, Billy Jeffers has already advised Cabinet of expected lower rainfall this year.

Dr Gonsalves said they have been advised that over the last 30 years, rainfall averaged 85 inches per year.

Last year, average rainfall fell 22% below the 30 year average and this year, there is a prediction for even less rainfall. PM Gonsalves also used the opportunity to urge residents to move towards greater levels of water harvesting and storage.

In a bid to further improve it’s efficiency and effectiveness, the CWSA is also moving towards having electronic water meters.

Quow said the CWSA has recently purchased some electrical meters for a pilot project in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

He noted that these meters are more sensitive and will give consumers a better indication of any leaks on their properties.

At present, the CWSA is in negotiation with the National Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission (NTRC) for a frequency to launch this pilot project.