A discussion followed, focused upon the insufficiency of potable water and the promise made by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, on the day preceding, about de-politicizing the issue.
He indicated a willingness to join in a non-partisan effort to find solutions to water production, water distribution, and the re-piping of nearly 37 miles of pipes which may be required if the APUA is to bill for a higher percentage of the water distributed.
The promise followed an incident in the Parliament during the Monday session. When the Minister of Public Utilities was very close to ending his 15-minute statement on water, under the item called ‘Statement By Ministers’ on the agenda, the Leader of the Opposition insisted that the Minister’s 15-minute allotment had been consumed; he would not allow even two minutes’ extension.
The Cabinet therefore asked the Minister to structure the planned experts’ non-partisan meeting that would include, by invitation, the Leader of the Opposition.
The Minister of Public Utilities took time out to re-emphasize the challenges which the APUA Water and Electricity Divisions are facing as the economy grows; more homes and office buildings are constructed, and more cruise vessels enter our Port.
The 7.5 million gallons of water which the APUA produces daily is insufficient to meet demand by homes, schools, businesses, government offices, and the many institutions that need significant and growing quantities of the precious substance.
Because of the continuing drought, the 40%/60% ratio of R/O water to stored surface and ground water supplies is no longer possible.
All potable water now comes from R/O plants. The construction of many more plants and more storage tanks (called ‘reservoirs’) is now necessary, since demand is expanding and supply must grow to meet the growth in the economy which triggers higher water demand.
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It is a good idea to set up a non-partisan group of Experts to prepare and implement a program to finally solve this water crisis that continues to plague our country. But the group of Experts should be real water experts…NOT Politicians. The Government must understand that just adding more RO plants will not solve the problem. We need experts who understand water systems and how to find the root causes of the problems and what must be done to fix the problems…
I am heartened to hear that a joint and sensible approach is being considered to finally deal with the age old water crisis that we have faced ever since Noah built his ark. In this modern era we simply cannot continue like this. Government need to buy and install large storage tanks similar to the tanks that are within the WIOC compound. If two of these tanks are installed in the major communities that are the most affected by the water crisis, in no time we would have resolved the awful situation that now exists. There is sufficient high point in at least every community that can accommodate a water storage tank. If we undertake to do at least four of these each year, in no time we would have changed the water situation in Antigua. Plenty talk and promises over the years but very little action taken.
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