CWSA monitoring major systems due to reduced rainfall

The Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) recorded a 37 per cent reduction in rainfall during September, 2023 which is usually referred to as the ‘rainfall season’. This alarming observation spiked the already growing concern of the effects of drought in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Technician and hydrologist at the CWSA, Vialey Richards explained that in 2023 the Dalaway system, which feeds roughly 40 percent of the company’s customers, recorded a decrease in rainfall of 37 per cent.

“It would have been a very intense period where drought is concerned,” said Richards, as he acknowledged the reduction in water availability both last year and this year.

On the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)’s ’Talk Yuh Talk’ morning show, both Richards and the CWSA’s public relations officer (PRO), Joan Ryan provided updates with regard to the availability of potable water.

Ryan revealed that the CWSA is currently keeping a close eye on two main systems- the Dalaway system and the Montreal system. She explained that the status of the Montreal system is red which means that the system is currently under risk and strict water conservation measures will be put in place by CWSA. Non-essential use of water is discouraged.

The current status of the Dalaway system is orange, an indication that there is a risk to the supply and that consumers should put in place water storage measures, using water essentially.

Water is currently being rationed to residents in communities on the Montreal system, though those supplied by the Dalaway system are not yet being rationed.

“We are watching that system closely…at any time we may have to implement a system of rationing,” Ryan said.

Communities that are fed by the Montreal system are: Richland Park, Hopewell, Simon, Mesopotamia, Glenside, Freeland, Caruth, Montaque, Mt. Pleasant, Carriere, Collins, Evesham, La Croix, Ginger Village, Belmont, Pomsette, Chile, Top Victoria Village, Akers, Calder Ridge, South Wood, Clamorgan, Enhams, and upper Carapan

Those supplied by the Dalaway system are: Walker Piece, New Montrose, Ottley Hall, Old Montrose, Lodge Village, Sion Hill, Mala Village, Roseau, Frenches, Sally Spring, Kingstown Park, McKies Hill, Level Garden and Villa-Fountain Road.

Richards explained the process of how the company harvests water in three stages, the final of which is the chlorination stage “which is quite important before going to the customers. It’s for disinfection of the water to rid the water of pathogens or anything like that”.

In response to a caller who inquired about the cloudy appearance of the water in the taps, Richards said this was a matter about which others have also inquired, and gave the assurance that there is nothing about which to be alarmed.

“The water looks white because of compressed air, so when the technicians go to the field, they may repair a line, that water would come back with increased pressure and so with increased pressure, there will be dissolved air in the water…so if you are to take a water sample in a glass and look at it, you will obviously see that the white cloudiness is clearing from the bottom to the top,” because at this point the air that was dissolved in the water is now escaping.

He said the company uses only small amounts of chlorine in the water and that all water distributed usually gets intercepted for testing for quality assurance.

Richards spoke as well of turbidity (muddy water) that was affecting the intake at Perseverance which was due to major land-slippage around the area of the volcano, located upstream of the system.

He explained that this is expected to happen over the next few years as a consequence of the 2021 volcanic eruption.

Information about disruptions and regular updates are available on the CWSA’s facebook page.