In his very first appearance at the weekly government pre-cabinet press briefing since the December 1, 2025 general election, Minister with responsibility for Physical Development and Public Utilities, Choiseul/Saltibus Parliamentary Representative Keithson Charles came with news of imminent improvement in the island’s water supply.
The big news recently has been the official commencement of the improvement in the northern pipeline but Charles insists that is only a small part of a larger picture.
“So last week Thursday some you may have probably been at the ceremony for the luncheon of the ninth water project. It’s a project that is going to change a lot of things for WASCO and that ninth project deals specifically with the raw water pipeline coming from the John Compton Dam. We have heard that that water pipeline has been leaking quite a bit of water. And like I said at the ceremony we have patched it and we have touched it and we have patched the patches.”
Charles explained that before anything else can be done, it has become necessary to stop the wastage.
“This raw water pipeline essentially is going to preserve a lot more water. We’ve been moving a lot more water from the John Compton Dam to the Theobalds Treatment Plant. That treatment plant is down for renovation and innovation as well. I just want you to envision that when we move all of this water and we have 50% of that water going into the ground. That will now be coming into the treatment plant.”
Charles further explained that with the upgrade and improvements planned, some communities may realize improved water quality by Christmas of this year.
He says even while there is a discussion on a desalination option it is yet early days as the process is significantly more expensive to set up and operate particularly against the backdrop of leaking pipes.
The major news, nonetheless, was the forward movement of the exploration of the geothermal option. This initiative, according to the Choiseul/Saltibus Rep, has already seen at least two farmers displaced and compensated. The initiative is part of an effort to ensure that all options are explored in a bid to provide the country with adequate water supply. Charles insists that the ultimate goal is to secure, not only a stable water supply but an acceptably stable water rate as well.
In the meantime, Charles insisted, St. Lucians should take water conservation and harvesting seriously. He was clear that water harvesting should not just be about just collecting rain water but rather a culture that speaks to collecting, treating and utilizing usable water, which in turn promotes good hygiene.
In light of that, Charles revealed that plans are already afoot to incorporate a water harvesting component in the approval of new construction plans.
The utilities minister also revealed that plans to secure non-traditional underground sources are also passed the discussion stage and is hopeful that this will provide much needs additions to the island’s water reserves.
He declined to elaborate on the issue of the de-silting of the John Compton Dam, suggesting only that the issue was a sore point for many and there are many proposals on the table for a speedy resolution to the issue.