The newly-appointed Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes, has given a short but comprehensive report on the water situation in Anguilla.
He has pointed out several challenges being experienced by the Water Corporation (WCA) of Anguilla: including leakages; the state of The Valley well field; the need to overhaul the original mains distribution system; and the high costs involved in addressing those challenges.
Mr. Hughes was at the time speaking in a Whatsapp broadcast over the past weekend. He stated as follows:
Haydn Hughes
“Fellow Anguillians:
“It has been a little over a week since I have assumed office as the Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism. I have had the opportunity to meet with members of the Boards of the Water Corporation of Anguilla and the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority – as well as their respective CEOs.
“Those meetings have proven fruitful and informative. To that end, I will report on the state of water. There are a number of challenges that continue to plague the work of the WCA. Of note, The Valley well field continues to play an important role in the production of water but the infrastructure of the well field has deteriorated significantly. This has caused a decrease in pump capacity as well as resilience. There are twelve available wells of which seven are in use. In order to restore them to full capacity, which includes electrical upgrades, pipelines and pumps, it will require an expenditure of approximately 321,600 dollars. Recently, the water provider was changed to Seven Seas Water. I have already spoken to its President, Mr. Frederick Hung, and Mr. Franklin Richards, and was thoroughly briefed by the WCA’s CEO, Mr. Ali Anthony, as well as the capable personnel at TSG Water.
“Even with the change of provider, the WCA continues to ail. As well as other obligations, the WCA has found it difficult to service its monthly obligations to ANGLEC. Presently, the WCA owes ANGLEC in excess of ten million dollars. As you know, Government has not kept current with its financial commitments to the WCA. This has forced the WCA to delay some of its payables. The financial difficulties at the WCA have also forced them to recycle parts and fittings which have become a necessity.
“The original mains across the island are saddled with daily breaks. This is due to the method adopted for laying the original pipe. The cost of daily repairs, and the loss of over sixty percent of water due to leakage, severely impact the quality of service. The high number of small pinhole leaks, and the lack of proper protection in terms of sand-bedding, continue to cause even more leaks which, in turn, significantly lowers the water pressure. Even if pressure was increased, the severity of the leaks would increase due to the age and inadequate infrastructure. Anguilla is very cavernous and so breaks will not surface. Therefore, the WCA continues to experience significant losses of water and revenue.
“To fix these issues there will have to be a massive overhaul and/or replacement of the existing mains. This would be best done in phases and the estimated cost is in excess of fifty-five million dollars. The management and staff of the WCA continue to work hard given the challenges.
“As Minister responsible for Public Utilities, I am already discussing possible solutions given the obvious challenges, even as many of the Board members tendered resignations. It is also hoped that a new Board would soon be installed to help guide water through this difficult period.
“I thank you. May God bless you and may God bless Anguilla.”
