The water sector in Saint Lucia received another boost, thanks to a new water treatment facility funded by the EU-GCCA+ Programme. The new investment valued at USD 390,821 was installed in a remote community in the north of Saint Lucia. This was in response to the plight of the 250 residents, who have been experiencing chronic water shortages due to climate impacts.
With the new investment, the residents of Desbarras have an increased supply of water from 10,000 to 25,000 gallons. The Facility also utilises solar PV panels to power the system, making it climate-friendly.
During the hand-over ceremony which took place on September 20, Dr. the Honourable Virginia Albert- Poyotte, Parliamentary Representative for the area said “People in the community used to complain frequently about the quality of water, which they shared via WhatsApp. I know they are very happy now that this water has been transformed into high-quality water.”
The new water facility not only increased their access to good, clean, safe water, it also reduced their dependence on the water utility company and provided water security in the face of climate change. “The Desbarras people are very fortunate”, Dr Albert-Poyotte noted to have access to this type of water that comes straight from the nearby mountain ridge.
This is the largest of 3 climate-related interventions recently made in the water sector on the island through a collaboration between the CCCCC, the OECS Commission, WASCO, the Water Resource Management Unit of Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture and the European Union (EU).
The combined aspects of this facility also make it the largest government capital spent in the small community. In declaring the treatment facility open, Mrs. Zilta George-Leslie, Chief Executive Officer of WASCO, thanked all the partners, noting that WASCO could not have achieved this on their own. She underscored the need for the collective duty of residents, partners and WASCO personnel for long-term maintenance and protection of the system.
The EU-GCCA+ programme, headed by Mr Ansel Dubon is in its final stages of implementation.
