CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – St. Lucia, grappling with a severe water crisis, has joined the ranks of other Caribbean nations in implementing water rationing measures. The region, in the grip of a prolonged dry period, is feeling the acute effects of this environmental challenge.
The government, in response to the water crisis, has approved the fourth water-related emergency in the past ten years. Zilta George-Leslie, the chief executive officer of the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO), issued a stern warning. Once the order is published in the official Gazette, any violation of the measure would be considered an offense. Offenders could face a fine of not less than EC$3,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents), imprisonment of not less than six months, or both upon summary conviction.
She said a further fine of not less than EC$50 would be imposed daily if the breach continues.
“All consumers of potable water in St. Lucia are therefore urged to restrict the use of potable water for non-potable uses,” George-Leslie told reporters, adding that WASCO is recommending essential usage as water necessary to sustain human life, domestic animals’ lives, and maintain hygiene and sanitation standards.
WASCO has outlined specific activities that will be restricted during this period. These include using potable water for non-essential purposes such as watering lawns, pressure washing, mixing concrete, and filling swimming pools. These measures are crucial in conserving water and managing the current crisis.
George-Leslie said that as of Tuesday, May 14, the John Compton Dam reported water levels of 318.6 feet, an estimated 14.4 feet below the spillway, dropping six inches daily.
She said that the Hill 20 system had shown a 50 percent reduction and that WASCO’s Southern intake reduction ranges from 29 to 80 percent in some areas.
WASCO said that, as a result, it would implement dry season mitigation measures and an island-wide sharing initiative as part of its commitment to ‘responsible resource management.’
WASCO said it has also increased the number of crews dealing with leak repairs.
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