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Minister with responsibility for ICTs, Utilities and Energy, the Hon. Melford Nicholas, inspected the construction site the reverse osmosis plant at the Ivan Rodriguez Water Plant, a vital project aimed at significantly boosting the island’s water production capacity.
This facility, a collaborative effort between the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and the Seven Seas Water Group, is being erected at Barnacle Point.
The centerpiece of the project is a state-of-the-art reverse osmosis plant, poised to augment the daily water output substantially. The plant is projected to generate an additional 2 million imperial gallons of water each day, offering a much-needed solution to the persistent water shortage issues.
During the Minister’s visit, System Management Specialist at APUA’s Business Management Unit and Project Manager Sean Peters comprehensively explained the plant’s intricate operational mechanisms, with a particular focus on the high-pressure motor pumps that are integral to the reverse osmosis process.
He meticulously detailed the journey of the seawater, from its initial intake to the sophisticated filtration procedures designed to remove impurities and sediment.
The project has also taken into account the harsh coastal environment, with the crucial connection being strategically relocated underground to mitigate the corrosive effects of the salty air and prolong the lifespan of the infrastructure. Sean asserts that most of the equipment is weather-resistant.
Acting Water Manager Jason “Basu” Peters offered insights into the project’s timeline and progress. He acknowledged that the construction schedule had experienced some setbacks due to inclement weather, and cement supply issues.
However, he reassured that with the 28 tradesmen, including some from APUA, significant milestones were on the horizon, with the casting of the processing unit and the floor foundations anticipated to take place within the coming weeks.
Minister Nicholas emphasized the importance of operational efficiency, remote management, and automation in the transfer of best practices.
Addressing the plant’s power requirements, Jason Peters highlighted the installation of two on-site transformers, which will collectively provide approximately 2 megawatts of power to sustain the plant’s operations.
In the realm of contingency planning, Jason Peters addressed the crucial aspect of backup power. He clarified that the current design does not incorporate a built-in backup power system directly at the Ivan Rodriguez plant.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that proactive discussions are actively underway to strategically deploy generators at key power plant locations across the island.
This strategic placement of generators is intended to ensure uninterrupted water production, even in scenarios where the main power grid experiences disruptions.
Furthermore, Jason Peters noted that while the Crabbes plant doesn’t necessitate a generator due to its central role as an electricity hub, the Fort James and Ffreys plants are under consideration for generator installations.
This measure is aimed at safeguarding water production from disruptions, especially during major storm events.
The new Seven Seas Reverse Osmosis Plant is being developed over a 12-year built-own-transfer agreement between APUA and Seven Seas.
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