A US $2.5m water project is expected to benefit more than 20 communities and over 10,000 people on the north and west coasts.
On Wednesday, September 21st, with funding from the World Bank, the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) officially handed over pipes and fittings for the North Western Water Storage Tanks Project to the Ministry for Water Resource Management.
The Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) is responsible for tender evaluations and for making arrangements for offloading and storage of the materials.
The Hon Minister for Trade, Energy and Employment, Ian Douglas, spoke on behalf of the Hon Minister for Water Resource Management, Reginald Austrie.
Hon Douglas noted that this project will help resolve the issue of frequent water shortages which has surfaced since Storm Erika.
He revealed that Government has spent millions on the rehabilitation of water systems around the island.
“It is no secret that this Government has spent more than $120m establishing and rehabilitating many water systems all over Dominica.”
He stated that Government will continue to work collaboratively with DOWASCO to ensure that potable water is brought to all homes in Dominica.
“The Government and DOWASCO collaboratively continue working hard under trying and difficult circumstances to rebuild a stronger and more resilient water sector which will continue to serve our people with a reliable and consistent water supply for many years to come,” he said.
Task Team Leader of the World Bank, Yohannes Kesete, explained, “Through this project, eight reinforced concrete water tanks with capacities ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 gallons will be built at an approximate value of US $2.5m.”
Chief Engineer at DOWASCO, Magnus Williams, outlined the importance of the storage tanks which is mainly to provide emergency reserves.
The storage tanks will be located in Morne Rachette, Colihaut, Bioche, Picard, Glanvillia, Grange, Cottage and Savanne Paille.
The North Western Water Storage Tanks Project is part of the West Coast Water Supply Project.
This project is expected to be completed in 12 months.