The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) has committed to additional support measures for residents of Plateau, Babonneau, following discussions on the ongoing water supply challenges affecting the community.
The commitment came during a community engagement session convened by the Babonneau Constituency Council, which brought together Plateau residents and WASCO representatives to discuss the impact of intermittent water supply on the community and possible measures to ease the difficulties being experienced.
The forum served as a platform for residents to raise concerns about prolonged water interruptions, distribution schedules, valve operations and access to trucking services, especially for the vulnerable members of the community.
In response, WASCO representatives provided an update on the current state of the water system, outlining the operational challenges affecting supply and the steps being taken to improve reliability.
WASCO has noted that the supply challenges affected several Babonneau communities, particularly higher-elevation and end-of-line areas including Boguis, Savanne en Haut, Garrand, Plateau, La Croix, Paix Bouche, La Guerre, Upper Monier, Ti Dauphin, Desrameaux, Ravine Macock and La Borne are being driven by reduced production at the Hill 20 Water Treatment System which has been severely impacted by the prolonged dry season.
Although Saint Lucia has entered the rainy season, WASCO explained that recent rainfall has been insufficient to restore water levels at key sources.
As a result, inflows to the Hill 20 system have fallen significantly, forcing WASCO to manage production through controlled pumping cycles. The company expressed that the system is currently receiving less than 10 per cent of the approximately one million UK gallons of water required daily to meet demand across the Babonneau network.
One of the immediate outcomes of the engagement was WASCO’s commitment to increase the placement of community water storage tanks and expand trucking services for residents most severely affected by the intermittent supply.
WASCO notes that the discussions allowed for greater understanding between the utility and the community whilst also highlighting the need for continued cooperation as efforts continue to manage the situation.
The engagement is to form part of a wider effort by the utility company to maintain transparent communication with customers while identifying practical, community-driven responses to the current supply challenges.
The company is expected to provide operational and key water updates during a press conference scheduled for July 29.
Meanwhile, customers are being encouraged to use stored water reserves sparingly and practise safe water storage practices.