Customers were left surprised over the weekend after a notice appeared on the website of the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), indicating that new water and sewerage rates are on the way.
The alert, which stated “new rates coming soon”, noted that tariffs have been revised and are expected to take effect in June.
The development has already sparked concern among consumers, prompting questions at Tuesday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre acknowledged the reports when questioned by St Lucia Times, but made it clear that the government has limited control over the process.
“i have heard so; our hands are tied, but it’s a situation we are looking at,” Pierre said.
“The legislation says that the NURC can increase water rates – all rates, I know it’s painful [but] Cabinet by law, has no jurisdiction over that. Cabinet has moral suasion.”
Under the National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC) Act, the Commission is responsible for regulating utility tariffs, including those for water and sewerage services.
The legislation does not set out specific timelines for rate increases, but it gives the Commission the authority to establish, approve and review tariff structures. This includes adjusting rates over time based on regulatory mechanisms, such as an indexation formula that accounts for factors like inflation, wage movements, and electricity costs.
In light of potential increases, the Prime Minister also renewed his call for citizens to consider alternative measures to reduce their dependence on the public water supply.
He encouraged greater investment in rainwater collection, noting that it can help households manage costs and build resilience as utility rates fluctuate.
One ting, Pee M really good at dodging accountability. Politicians make the laws in case this clown forgot. No matter how much revenue WASTECO generates, the incompetent leadership that has continued to fail the people of St. Lucia will continue to fail. Same disaster, more cost for St. Lucians. Fire the board and mmanagement of WASTECO.
Who gave them the bravery to ask for more money when their services and water available has only gotten WORSE in the current years. Tell them to put that shate back in drafts and come back with it when people actually get proper service. And the government? We know he been financially pimping out of us for years now. Nobody is stupid. “Limited control”
Alot of them need to throne in jail…a dredging fee with no dredging, no public accountability of those funds yet the NURC endorses a fee hike. From Minister down to CEO and regulators….alot of them need to go to Bordelais with the hard-core criminals
The tithe Roseau Dam was built to supply water to the Northern section of St. Lucia until 2012. We are now in 2026. Thousands of homes have been built. A number of hotels have been constructed, all of which depend on water from the Dam. There should should be a law which requires homeownership owners and hotels to first build a cister a cistern which will collect and store rain waterwater, before they construct their building. People should be encouraged to conserve water. e.gwater. e.g. using a bucket instead of a hoseto wash tto wash their vehicles. The water rates are not high. Surely we can pay a little more. We have nThe has not been a price increase in years.
Why do we have a government if they have absolutely no control over water rates? The rate issue here is just being avoided by the government to deflect responsibility if water rates increases. Having said this, WASCO does indeed deserve an increase in the amount paid for water, the government should just tell the people the truth. People complain about water rates, yet there are companies here who process water from WASCO and make more money selling that bottled water than WASCO makes, the people buy WASCO origin bottled water and don’t complain about the price! Many actually spend more on bottled water than their monthly water bill, yet they complain. The issue with WASCO is that they destroy a lot of roads in this country, repairs can take years! But as to the increase in the amount paid for water, it is absolutely necessary, let us be honest with ourselves, and let the government be honest with the people, and desist from saying that they the government have no control over rate increases, nonsense!
2012? The dam was built in 1990 and you are saying it was to serve until 2012? Some of you are as smart as a drop of paint! Dams have the highest design life among civil infrastructure minimum 50 years, most up to 100 years! Stop trying to justify the wrong!!!
Well of course, they’ve seen Lucelec bang up their prices two months in a row, so now they’re jumping on that bandwagon. That’s what happens in a Country that doesn’t have any sort of ombudsman or governing body to protect the consumer. All because of WASCO’s piss poor management of water storage and total failure to fix leaks reported to them, and yet again the consumer suffers