THE LOANS WILL FUND THE UPGRADE OF THE THEOBALDS WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND THE REHABILITATION OF THE PATIENCE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.

In a bold and responsive move to ease the burden faced by households and businesses alike, the Government of Saint Lucia signed two landmark agreements with the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), securing over USD$5.7M in concessional financing and grant support to revitalize the island’s water infrastructure.

Speaking at the July 24 signing ceremony, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre described the project as

a people-centered water infrastructure program, designed to enhance daily life and economic productivity across the island.

“I thank the CDF for investing in Saint Lucia,” he said. “Water is life, and the ability to access clean water must benefit people at all levels. Sometimes we forget that polices and projects need to benefit individuals.”

The comprehensive project, set to unfold over the next eight months, targets the rehabilitation of the Theobalds Water Treatment Plant and the completion of the Patience Water Supply System; serving communities in the southeast. These works are expected to benefit over 45,000 residents, with lasting improvements in water quality, access, and reliability.

WASCO Chief Executive Officer, Zilta George-Leslie, explained that beyond the immediate project upgrades, the Water and Sewerage Company will also undertake critical work to replace aging pipes and address non-revenue water losses which currently account for over 50 percent of WASCO’s daily output.

“WASCO’s capacity to address and to remedy these challenges within our existing infrastructure has been hindered by the lack of financial resources necessary to fund those upgrades,” she said. “However with the award of a USD$4.233M loan from the CARICOM Development Fund, backed by the Government of Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of Finance, WASCO can now get down to the business of rehabilitating the Theobalds Treatment Plant.”

Meanwhile, CEO of the CARICOM Development Fund, Mr. Rodinald Soomer, reaffirmed the regional organization’s commitment to supporting projects that bring tangible quality-of-life improvements to vulnerable populations.