(Caribbean360) Officials from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) this week launched two milestone projects that will improve water access for more than 100,000 residents who live in some of the most underserved areas of the country.
The launch of the John Compton Dam Rehabilitation and Vieux Fort Water Supply Redevelopment projects will help end acute water shortages that have threatened the livelihoods of residents and stymied the growth of businesses in the north and south of St Lucia. The projects aim to provide an efficient, reliable, climate-resilient water supply to the two areas.
“We are pleased to support these two projects, which, when completed, will improve water access for the people who need it most and stimulate economic growth and social development in St Lucia,” said Andrew Dupigny, Division Chief, Economic Infrastructure Division at the CDB.
The John Compton Dam Rehabilitation Project aims to improve the reliability of water supply during the dry season for 93,000 residents in the northern districts of Castries, Gros Islet and part of Anse La Raye. Over time and after periods of heavy rainfall, silt has accumulated in the Dam, causing it to operate below capacity.
Fixing the dam will ease the social and economic disruption by contributing to: better public health and quality of life for residents; reduced disruption and losses to businesses and schools due to water outages; and improved resiliency to severe rainfall events.
The John Compton Dam Rehabilitation Project is supported by funding of US$14.8 million provided by CDB, the Inter-American Development Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB).