Government Information Service

by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service

Discussions continue on the proposed five hundred thousand (500 000) gallon water storage tank at Morne Bruce. On Thursday, July 30th, 2009, officials of the Dominica Water and Sewage Company, DOWASCO together with officials of the Ministry of Public Utilities and other stakeholders met at the Public Service Training Centre to discuss the proposed project.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at DOWASCO, Larry Bardouille, the proposed site for the tank is near the Pastoral Center overlooking the Botanic Gardens. He said that the proposed construction and site will provide DOWASCO with greater flexibility in the management of the water supply to the city of Roseau including Newtown and Kingshill.

Mr. Bardouille explained that the discussions for the proposed project are taking place at a time of major challenges for the water company. He applauded Government for making the approximately 13 000 (thirteen thousand) square feet of land available for the project.

“This demonstrates that Government appreciates and understands the importance of water security through increased storage capacity and is willing to assist DOWASCO to achieve this.”

Construction of the proposed structure is expected to last for approximately nine (9) months. The Structure is expected to be made of reinforced concrete 69 x 89 x 19 feet. The top water lever is expected to be fifteen feet and will consist of three (3) hydraulic chambers.

At last week’s meeting, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Ports, Sonia Akpa, explained the challenges of the current system and the need for further expansion of water storage capacity.

“It is significant to note, however, that the very natural features which contribute to that abundance of water in Dominica: our mountains, valleys, dense rain forests and high precipitation are also the major obstacles to the development of water distribution systems on the island. Our rugged terrain, for example, possesses serious challenges of access and high capital costs. We are further faced with the consequences of limited useable land for development purposes and sensitive environmental concerns. Indeed, the heavy rainfall in Dominica over the last few weeks and the associated high turbidity problems experienced with the Springfield intake have served as an urgent reminder of the vulnerability of the water area one system and the need for addressing the issue of storage capacity.

Hon. Minister for Public Utilities, Energy and Ports, Charles Saverin, believes that the proposed project will address the major challenges faced by the water company  in water area one.

“The difficulties, in water area one, are as a result of the fact that consumption has outstripped supply. There is inadequate storage capacity and the system has been compromised by Hurricane Dean and the many landslides and land slippages that continue to occur damaging the supply lines including the major mains supplying lines. We have to thank the consumers for their patience, particularly over the past couple of weeks as DOWASCO attempts to address this most unfortunate situation.”

Water area one covers the St. Joseph to Pointe Michel region and is the largest of forty-three (43) water supply networks serving a population of approximately twenty-eight thousand, one hundred (28 100) persons. Among these are major public institutions, commercial outlets, hotels, three (3) sea ports and the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

DOWASCO officials have faced major constraints as a result of the increasing demand which has result in frequent interruptions in supply and challenges with servicing elevated areas of Roseau, particularly, Kingshill. As a result, the construction of the storage tank has been described as a very important step to address these water supply concerns in water area one.