Saint Lucia’s Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), Monday announced that it had suspended all new connections and additional meter requests in the north of the island (from Millet to Cap Estate) due to severe dry conditions.
This mandate will remain in effect until water levels increase on its system, WASCO said.
The announcement is not sitting well with many of the company’s customers however, who continue to lament water shortages on the island.
At a press conference on Tuesday, WASCO stated that “a Declaration of a Water-Related Emergency is hereby issued pursuant to section 10 of the Water and Sewerage Act Cap. 9.03.”
According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zilta Leslie George, the issue of the Declaration is expedient “owing to the exceptional shortage of rain throughout the island and a serious deficiency of supplies of water which is affecting the entire island.”
Further, she told reporters, that starting yesterday and “by the issue of this Declaration of Water-Related Emergency, all residents of Saint Lucia are urged to cease the use of potable water for any non-potable uses and from any activity which may cause the contamination of the water.”
Meanwhile, on Monday, the company announced that due to a damaged line, its Micoud network is currently offline. As a result, customers in the following areas will experience an interruption in their water supply:
- Micoud Village
- Up The Line
- Jn Baptiste Hill
- Ti Rocher
- Beauchamp
- Volet
“The network is currently being monitored and further updates will be provided as necessary. WASCO deeply regrets the inconvenience caused,” the company said in a statement.
As part of its water scarcity management plan, a water rationing schedule has been implemented for specific sections of the distribution network.
“This exercise will involve the temporary distribution of water at selected points for a designated period of time and will remain in effect until water levels increase on the system,” WASCO stated.
The following systems will experience interruptions during the valving exercise: Hill 20, Carellie and Morne Du Don.
Valving has commenced to the following communities:
- Carellie
- York Hill
- Chase Gardens
- Karibelle
- Agard
- Hill Crest Gardens
- Bois Patat
- Morne Du Don
- Upper Cedars
- Upper La Pansee
- Sunbilt
- Skate Town
- Forgotten Boundary
- La Force Gap
- Bocage
- Green View Development
- En Bas Morne
- Almondale
WASCO emphasizes the need for reducing water waste and urges consumers to curb their consumption by using water saving measures where possible.
Customers are encouraged to promptly report any supply interruptions and/or localized faults to its south control room (457-3984). Additionally, reports can be made via WhatsApp Messenger by forwarding contact information and location to 482-0051.