The Editor,
The Anguillian newspaper
Dear Sir:
ANGUILLA NEEDS POSITIVE ACTION
It was very humiliating and discouraging to see the end of the water facility at Crocus Bay! I am sorry that our newspaper featured its demise on the front page. It was embarrassing enough to have the project fail, so maybe the pictures and story could have been placed quietly somewhere near the back of the paper! However, again we have failed! Failed to operate and maintain a modern means of water production in Anguilla. As far the water supply is concerned the island is almost back where it was ten or twelve years ago. – or may be worse. Debts have to paid. Our reputation as a reliable people is shattered. I had no water then and I have none now!
Why did Anguilla go this route in the first place? Did somebody persuade governments, past or present, that this was a viable option? (The supply of water from The Valley Well was always there?) In reality, this was a great and modern idea, if only Anguillians had the vision and expertise to make it work. It could have worked. It should have worked! What went so terribly wrong? Management and competent distribution seem to be the problem. Excuses such as a leaking storage facility, hence not enough pressure, were pitiful! Why should storage tanks leak? Was it because of poor installation and/or inferior quality? The only way to make this water plant function as it should, and pay for itself, was through the sustainable and effective distribution of water. Therefore poor distribution, as well as a dire lack of proper accounting, had to be some main factors in this debacle. Citizens were relieved to have water and would have paid for water – if it were available. If you are unable to sell your product you must fail! Fortunately, there is an improved system of water pipes now installed (I hope) throughout the island. To prevent stealing and breakage these must be properly maintained. Why can’t a water engineer find out where water is being taken illegally, or where pipes are broken and water is leaking out? The old reservoir is still standing in the Old Ta area. Made of stone and/or concrete it would be interesting to determine if that could still hold water!
My meter is still in place but I have always been told ‘we are too high’. The workers did try though, day after day for weeks – the blue hose is still lying there on the road, empty and unused. With no reliable supply of water, and strangling electricity costs, Anguilla simply cannot survive! Forget about going forward or improving to any degree of modern existence. Empty talk, seminars, meetings, gatherings, vague ideas – are worth nothing! Anguilla needs positive action (and water).
Thank you.
A Hopeful Citizen
