Water trucking operators who transport water for resale in Saint Lucia must obtain a licence from the National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC).
The requirement is part of new regulations governing the water trucking sector. At its first-ever Water Trucking Workshop, held recently, NURC addressed health and safety, liability insurance, road safety and business management with operators.
In a release from NURC, the organisation’s Consumer Relations Officer, Manendra George-Roberts, said it is legally mandated to regulate the water trucking service sector.
“So anybody who transports or conveys water for resale must be licensed,” George-Roberts said.
According to NURC, recently approved regulations establish the terms and conditions of the licence, including requirements relating to safety and industry standards, though further details were not provided in the release.
The Commission said operators also face challenges relating to liability insurance, health and safety, and the economic viability of the water trucking business, all of which were discussed during the workshop.
Environmental health, road safety and business management were also addressed, with sessions covering financial record-keeping and bookkeeping as part of efforts to strengthen operators’ capacity to run their businesses efficiently.
The move comes as water trucking has become increasingly common in communities affected by strained water supplies, amid ongoing infrastructure problems and drought conditions.
The NURC said it intends to maintain regular consultations with water truckers to ensure operators understand the licensing arrangements and the expectations governing the sector.
