Work is ongoing to consolidate nine independent water systems into one major network.
What’s known as the New West Coast Water Supply Project is being undertaken at a cost of more than $27 million.
The project is being described as one of the largest water upgrade projects ever to be undertaken in Dominica, and is expected to result in a significantly improved water supply for residents along Dominica’s west coast from Salisbury to Capuchin when completed.
The European Union is pumping $21 million into that project, with the Government of Dominica investing an additional $6 million.
The project has been divided into three Lots.
Lot two which involves the laying of thirty kilometers of supply lines along the road shoulders was the first phase of the project to get underway.
According to the project contractor, Zozime Serge Enterprise out of Martinique, Just over 26 kilometers of pipelines have already been laid, and over 30 per cent of pressure testing on those pipes has been completed.
Pressure testing is a process employed to ensure that there are no leaks in the system before they are put into use.
The contractors say that that aspect of the project is well on track for completion by October 2012.
Lot One involves the construction of two new intakes and two modern treatment facilities along the Picard and Coulibistrie Rivers, as well as the adjoining pipe works required to connect to the supply lines along the coast.
A release from water company DOWASCO says these intakes and treatment facilities are being located much further upstream than the existing facilities, and will require the construction of new or extended access routes.
Lot three of the project involves the construction of nine storage tanks to supply various communities within the project area and is expected to get underway at a later date, according to DOWASCO.
The overall anticipated completion date for the entire project is November 2013.
Thank you European Union. Despite your own problems you are still helping the likes of us. It is appreciated.
The European Union is giving us assistance to build infrastructure, while the Americans are only interested in drug interdiction.
The EU is also active in drug interdiction in our area through the Multilateral Maritime Interdiction Agreement in the Caribbean Region (2003), to which I believe Dominica is a signatory. Look it up. It makes very interesting reading.
the project is now on hold due to lack of pipes,expected to be on hold for 2months
I hope that they think before they act this time. That 27 figure sure seems to be popular.
What about LOT 4…? Fixing the roads that were severely damaged during lot 1, 2 & 3 and are posing great danger to pedestrians and motorists alike….dead people cannot use water…!!!!
Is Mr Austry going to rebuilt the cottage constituency road after the pipe project is completed? I’m only asking.
I think the road works people and the water works people have a contract. We build you tear down…. Every road every time. tsk tsk tsk.
Is it possible for the water people to work while or before the roads are resurfaced?
I hope they move the piping system to UNDER the sidewalk as opposed to in the centre of the road because It’s pure nonsense to dig up a recently paved road. What makes it worse is after they dig up the new road they take months to repair it and the repair is sub par
I applaud the installation of improved water supply lines. How about fixing the roads the crews have destroyed to lay the pipe? Oh and just a question … should the junctions be under the paved road. It seems that it would necessitate the tearing up of the roads again in the event of the inevitable leaks. Just sayin’
you doe realise that they going and marshup the road all over again.. this is why dominica cannot see money tdey build the house and then do the pluming later.
This sort of things rile me up. Why construct new road and then DOWASCO comes right behind and then damage the damm road.
It like we making two steps forward and then three back…
All you reading upside down man? you doh read is on the ‘SHOULDERS’ they working? where is the SHOULDER of the road?
When last all you even drive down the west coast?
Stop spewing bull crap on here if you have no idea what is actually going on!!!
And just for your info our professional engineers are not as daft as you all try to potray them they are well learnt!!
stop ur ignorance. water is life.
**GOOD TO KNOW**
“Lot two which involves the laying of thirty kilometers of supply lines along the road shoulders was the first phase of the project to get underway”.
So we are now going to dig up the “SHOULDERS” of the road? I just thought it would have been best to do this BEFORE we did the road surfacing!!
Also, Will this increase or decrease water bills? Does this also mean that new residents will now be paying for water? Everyone using the public water access should pay…… not just some!!
But that’s good news overall!!
-Thanks
“The European Union is pumping $21 million into that project, with the Government of Dominica investing an additional $6 million.”
DOWASCO aint spending a dime. No need to increase. they basically getting an upgrade for free no loan.
It is obvious you not leaving on island, so when next you visit you will see the development.
Everybody is paying for water they are metered.
I do live on the island please read the article carefully and understand. The PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED BY:EU and the Gov’t of Dominica. DOWASCO is not spending to implement the project so why are they going to charge the consumer? they will have minimal maintenance to do on the system in the next 10-15yrs minimum! they would be mad to hike up rates right after this project.
Dowasco has to pay back.. Is a loan