The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (WSC) executive chairman forecast that multiple “commissionings” for new water infrastructure will take place during 2021.

Adrian Gibson, the Long Island MP, told the House of Assembly during his contribution to the Budget debate that the state-owned utility expects “to complete and commission” multiple reverse osmosis plants and other operations by the end of summer.

“We have hired specialist engineers and technicians, and developed a rigorous maintenance plan that will be codified by policy. We expect to save millions per year by these operations,” Mr Gibson added.

“We’ve also done some other work in South Andros. We upgraded the Bluff well-field supply. We’ve seen the completion of new mains in Nicholls Town, Mastic Point and Conch Sound. We’ve upgraded the operational valves and well-field piping, and associated fittings, to improve operational efficiency and service reliability in places like Bowen Sound, Central Andros. We have also installed storage tanks in places like Cargill Creek. We also procured a new chlorination system.”

Mr Gibson said Water & Sewerage infrastructure commissioning will also take place in Long Island, South Andros, Crooked Island and Cat Island, as well as Marsh Harbour, Abaco, for a pumping station and a solar field. Inagua, South Eleuthera, Moore’s Island and San Salvador will have reverse osmosis plants, while Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos will gain pumping stations.

Mr Gibson added: “In New Providence, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded sewer works in Fox Hill, the Airport Industrial Park, Flamingo Gardens and Malcolm Park. Four sewerless stations at the cost of $16m.

“We hope to get generator capacity on all of the Family Islands. We want to upgrade our offices and facilities in Mayaguana, Berry Islands and South Andros. We are also looking to refurbish the North Andros pumping station at a cost of $94,000; to refurbish the Mangrove Cay main at a cost of $150,000; and to undertake a phase one upgrade of various North and Central Andros well-field and storage sites, including Fresh Creek, Mastic Point, Stafford and Staniel Creek.”