Work on several water infrastructure projects to improve supply and reliability across Saint Lucia is expected to gather pace over the coming months.
Speaking during Wednesday’s monthly press briefing, Maurice Norville, Head of WASCO’s Project Management Unit, outlined the progress of four major projects: the Theobalds Water Supply Rehabilitation Project, the John Compton Dam Raw Water Pipeline Project, the Patience Water Supply Redevelopment Project and the Northern Pipeline Project.
The US$5 million Theobalds Water Supply Rehabilitation Project has reached the contractor procurement stage. WASCO is evaluating six proposals received from regional firms in June. A contractor is expected to be selected in August, allowing construction to begin in September. The rehabilitation is expected to take about 15 months, with completion targeted for the end of December 2027.
Norville also provided an update on the US$22.8 million John Compton Dam Raw Water Pipeline Project, saying pre-construction work is continuing. A project engineer and community liaison officer have been appointed, while meetings have been held with landowners and farmers to explain the project and discuss its potential impact.
In addition, proposals for supervision engineering consultants are being evaluated, with the process expected to be completed by the end of August. The consultant is expected to come on board in September, while discussions on land acquisition continue. Construction remains on track to begin in January 2027.
Meanwhile, the US$2 million Patience Water Supply Redevelopment Project is about 80 per cent complete.
According to WASCO, the intake structure has been finished, work on the pumping station is about 85 per cent complete and roughly 40 per cent of the pipeline has been installed. Civil works for the treatment plant site have also been completed, with the plant expected to arrive from Europe by the end of July. Installation and commissioning are expected to take about two months, with the overall project scheduled for completion by the end of October.
WASCO also reported progress on the Northern Pipeline Project, saying contracts for both the supervising consultant and contractor have been signed and work is expected to begin in August.
Moreover, the Department of Physical Planning has issued the required notices to affected landowners, while surveys of the utility corridor are continuing. About half of the property boundary survey has been completed, although WASCO said this will not delay pipe-laying or the start of construction.
The company added that site staking has been completed and the next step is for surveyors to provide elevations and benchmarks before the contractor mobilises to begin work in August.
