The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) in Saint Lucia has officially inaugurated the Northern Pipeline Project with the signing of a $4.5 million contract aimed at enhancing water supply and reliability in the northern part of the island.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in modernizing Saint Lucia’s water infrastructure. The $4.5 million project will replace aging pipelines from Bonne Terre to Gros Islet Town Gap, leading to improved water pressure, reduced leakage, and enhanced service reliability in the northern region. That project is funded through The Bank of St. Lucia (BOSL).
At the formal contract signing ceremony on April 14 at the NWU Conference Room in San Soucis, Castries, WASCO’s CEO, Zilta George-Leslie, emphasized the transformative impact of the project on the island’s water network.
“The Northern Pipeline Project will revolutionize our water delivery to one of Saint Lucia’s key corridors,” she stated. “We are proud to replace approximately 1.1 km of aging infrastructure with a robust 20-inch ductile iron pipeline.”
George-Leslie further explained that the new system will replace a 14-inch cast-iron pipeline that has been in service since the 1990s.
“This upgrade will enhance pressure, minimize leakage, and provide reliable service to residents, businesses, and tourism communities in the north for decades to come,” she affirmed.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre took the opportunity to highlight broader reforms planned for the utility company. “We are committed to overhauling WASCO’s structure to better serve the people of Saint Lucia while ensuring the company’s sustainability,” he declared.
He noted that while water remains relatively affordable, sustainability is crucial moving forward. The Cabinet has approved a public-private partnership arrangement to support these initiatives. “The IFC will return to Saint Lucia to assist the government in developing a solid PPP structure for WASCO,” Pierre confirmed.
The Northern Pipeline Project is set to significantly enhance water pressure and reliability in the north, representing an essential part of a nationwide strategy to modernize water infrastructure and secure future supply.
Project Details and Impact:
– Scope: The project will replace approximately 1.1 kilometers of aging pipeline, specifically from Bonne Terre to the Gros Islet Town Gap.
– Key Partners: Contracts were signed with local firms CIE Ltd. and FDL Consult Inc.
– Objectives: The upgrade aims to improve water pressure, reduce leakages, and enhance supply reliability for residents and businesses, particularly in the northern corridor.
– Timeline: The project is set to break ground in April 2026, with completion projected for August 2026. **
Context and Leadership
This initiative aligns with the Government of Saint Lucia’s broader effort to modernize water infrastructure and address chronic supply issues in rapidly developing areas.
Prime Minister Pierre attended the contract signing, emphasizing the government’s focus on long-term water sustainability, including planned reforms for WASCO and support for rainwater harvesting. The project also coincides with upcoming highway expansions to ensure infrastructure improvements keep pace with urban development.
Recently, representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) visited Saint Lucia as part of the consultancy closure for the development of WASCO’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan.
During their visit, the delegation joined WASCO’s Project Management Unit for a series of site visits to review one of the potential projects identified within the Master Plan. These engagements aimed to assess opportunities for strengthening water and wastewater infrastructure and advancing long-term planning for the sector.
WASCO expresses gratitude to the CDB team for their continued partnership and support in guiding strategic development within Saint Lucia’s water and wastewater services.