Tackling Water Supply Challenges in Saint Lucia: Current Issues and Solutions

Saint Lucia's water supply system confronts a myriad of challenges, including climate change, aging infrastructure, and the island's diverse topography, which frequently disrupts service for homes and businesses. Recently, the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) has announced a series of enhancements aimed at addressing ongoing shortages, particularly in the northern region. However, officials warn that these upgrades will take time to implement. During an interview with St Lucia Times, Khalidd Vidal, WASCO’s manager for production, treatment, and quality, noted that service interruptions are community-specific but often arise from low intake flows, blocked infrastructure, and damaged transmission lines. He emphasized that extreme climate variations complicate these issues further. Notably, elevated northern communities like Cap Estate and Cas En Bas face persistent low pressure, impacting local hotels that have resorted to desalination. Despite recent improvements, water scarcity remains a pressing concern, prompting ongoing infrastructure investments, including enhancements to the Theobalds Water Treatment Plant.