The Government of Saint Lucia has signed two significant financing agreements with the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) to support national water infrastructure and expand access to clean, reliable water.

The first agreement provides US$4.2 million in concessional financing for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Theobalds Water Supply System. This investment will restore full treatment capacity, introduce solar-powered energy systems, and modernize key operational components to improve service delivery.

The second agreement secures supplementary financing of US$781,000 for the Patience Water Supply Project, targeting long-standing water challenges in underserved communities in the southeast of the island. The Patience Water System services 10 communities, and, when completed, this improved water system is expected to satisfy an increase in daily consumption demand from 60 gallons to 80 gallons per person. The CDF initially provided loan financing of US$1.2 million for the rehabilitation of the Patience Water Treatment System, so this total concessional loan financing for this project now increases to almost US$2 million.

In addition to these loan instruments, Saint Lucia has secured US$670,000 in grant support, which will fund rainwater harvesting systems, renewable energy installations at the Theobalds Water Treatment Plant, and public education campaigns focused on climate adaptation and water use.

Taken all together, with the financing for the Theobalds Water Treatment Plant, which is a newly approved project, this brings the total of CDF’s financing for water infrastructure in St. Lucia to almost US$7 million. These initiatives will improve water security for over 45,000 people in communities including Mon Repos, Patience, Praslin, La Pointe, Malgretoute, Millet, Vanard, Babonneau, Dennery, Castries, Gros Islet, and Cap Estate.

The CARICOM Development Fund continues to support initiatives that promote equitable growth, cohesion and resilience building across the Caribbean region since the Fund’s inception in 2008. By investing in the Patience and Theobalds Water Systems, the CDF is directly contributing to climate adaptation, promoting public health, and supporting social and economic sustenance and stability. Improved water infrastructure will reduce service disruptions, enhance disaster preparedness efforts, and support agriculture and tourism – two major pillars of St. Lucia’s economy. Implementation will be led by the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO).

These projects reflect the Government’s continued commitment to social equity, and sustainable development.

Quotes:

Hon. Stephenson King
Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development and Urban Renewal

WASCO infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly. WASCO records some 51 to 52% of non-revenue water, which is unacceptable. The raw water line from the John Compton Dam through to the Ciceron plant is in need of reconstruction. I’m happy that the Prime Minister has demonstrated full commitment to that cause. And today we are negotiating with the CARICOM Development Bank to replace the raw water line to improve the capacity from the John Compton Dam in the system.

I welcome this initiative, the initiative of rehabilitation, rehabilitating the Thoebalds treatment plant and to be able to improve capacity, particularly to the north of the country.

But as we do those things, there must be a coordinated approach to ensuring that all of the elements are synchronized and streamlined to ensure that we do it in a manner that ensures tremendous benefit to those at the end of the water line.

Zilta George-Leslie, CEO | WASCO

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 these upgrades. However, through the awarding of US $4.233 million 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‘s treatment plant.

In addition to this loan, the Technical Assistance Grant of 670,000 USD has been allocated for the provision of a safe, reliable and climate resilient supply of potable water to residents served by the Theobalds water treatment plant. The use of this grant is expected to result in the installation of energy efficient and renewable energy equipment at the plant. The provision of direct support for vulnerable communities through training and installation of rainwater harvesting systems, and enhanced water security for over 48,000 customers comprising of residents, hotels and other business businesses.

The project is expected, of course, to be completed within an 18-month period.

Hon. Jeremiah Norbert, MP for Micoud North

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Home Affairs, Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities

Currently the new system is the one that’s modernized is one that takes into consideration the technology. So hopefully we going to have less downtime when we have, problems are disruptions with water supply and I’m grateful for that.

You can imagine the Patience Combined School, the Mon Repos SDA School, all the preschools that are about to open in a couple weeks will now be able to benefit from this water supply. The health centre in the area and all the other persons who utilize that system will be able to benefit. So with that said, I want to thank the Prime Minister immensely for considering and acting on this initiative.
Mr. Rodinald Soomer, CEO | CARICOM Development Fund

This investment aligns closely with the CDF’s strategic goals and regional mandate to foster inclusive development and reduce disparities among and within our Member States. The CDF is pleased to be able to respond to the urgent need to invest in these water infrastructure upgrades, which are so critical to advancing balanced and sustainable growth and development in St. Lucia and the wider region, and thanks the Government of St. Lucia and WASCO for the opportunity to partner in this endeavour.
Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre

WASCO needs to be given the resources. And that is why the USD $7 million investment in WASCO today, some through loans and some through grants, is extremely important for what is going forward. We’ve been having discussions with the Caribbean Development Bank. To ensure that we get a real investment in the water supply in terms of the pipeline in into the north of the country, and that is going to cost millions of dollars.