Morne Bruce and Kingshill residents have been told that the water woes which they experienced over the years are now a thing of the past.
That’s because Dominica’s sole water company DOWASCO has officially commissioned a $4.5 million dollars storage tank in Morne Bruce.
The tank which will store 500,000 gallons of water is also expected to cater for the cruise ships when on island and the city of Roseau.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told the official commissioning ceremony Tuesday, that the project is manifestation of government’s committment to providing fresh portable water to every home and business in Dominica.
“Government has spent a tremendous sum of money to improve water supply in Dominica. We have gone to places which government felt wasn’t worth it because of the few people who lived there and the resources it would require,” he said.
According to Skerrit, the Dominica Labour Party believes in the investment in people and we see water as a social good.
“This is why even in Roseau South, we have spent $13-million to improve water supply project there,” he said. “And there are several water projects currently taking place on the island.”
Meantime Engineer of DOWASCO Magnus Williams says the new storage facility is the largest built storage tank DOWASCO now possesses.
He said it is second to the earth storage tank at Morne Daniel.
“The project is another major achievement for Dominica as we continue to improve lives of citizens through portable water and ensuring sanitation, health and comfortable living for all. Implications of water storage facility are many,” Williams said.
According to him, the storage tank will be supplied and filled from DOWASACO’s Antrim Facility. “Therefore there is no need to pump water with associated cost of electricity,” he said. “We are aware it becomes necessary to shut down Antrim because of inclement weather conditions however this will provide relief and ensure clean water for Roseau, Newtown and Kingshill”.
Tourism Minister Ian Douglas also addressed today’s function. He said the tourism aspect of the project must be appreciated.
“This will not only be useful for serving the people but an economic resource for supplying clean fresh water for the people visiting the island. Over the last few years, it has been a challenge to supply the necessary quality and quantity of water to the ships, however, with the commissioning of the new storage tank the issue of water quality will no longer pose that problem,” he said.
He pointed out that the storage tank illustrates that the improvement of tourism sector is a cross cutting activity which requires the assistance of everyone.
Water Resource Minister Reginald Austrie says by 2012, the entire world should have access to portable water; however Dominica will achieve that milestone before 2012.
He said 95 percent of Dominicans can boast of having portable water.
“The water system will alleviate the problem that the people of Morne Bruce and Kingshill have been crying about for several years,” he said.
According to Austrie, all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of the storage tank.
There is expected to be an annual maintenance cost associated with the project which was built with a loan from the National Bank of Dominica.
The palace will be assured of a continuous water supply, after all…!
cordonnier mal chaussé!the shoemaker never has a good pair of shoes!they say we have 365 rivers;we are in 2012 and people still have water problems!
Some day Grand Bay might benefit also.
PRAISE THE LORD IT’S FINALLY HERE,ALL THE TIME I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED WHEN WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE BEING SUPPLIED FROM Giraudel,and with the constant interruptions of water it had me thinking that somethings not right here,well thanks Dewasco,and the Government for this initiative,it’s really really about time these fluctuations go, and i never understood the challenges as to why we suffered so but as MR.AUSTRIE and others said it’s a thing of the past. THANKS AGAIN.
O thank God for answered prayers. These people suffered for years with this water issue. I felt ashamed to let people know that our beautiful Dominica has 365 rivers when I got to know that water goes every Saturday’s, Sunday’s and may return at nights 10pm. I am happy that u all can smile again, after all water is life
Good job guys thats what u r there for….
Has anyone else noticed that every time a project is launched or formally opened that the reference must be made to the DLP, headed by the PM Roosevelt Skerrit has made this all possible? Is this a grown up version of Daddy pays all the bills so we must be grateful and polite?
but what is your point? The government secured funding for the project so what you want them to say. stupes.
Tell us how much money we stand to make by selling our water to the cruise ships? we have the cost and dollar amount for all the others.