Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has announced that financing has been approved for critical repairs to WASCO’s Northern Line, as Saint Lucia grapples with declining water levels and increasing pressure on its supply systems.
The funding, approved in principle by the Caribbean Development Bank, is expected to support rehabilitation works on the Northern Pipeline from the Tibbles Dam heading north.
However, while the approval marks a significant step forward, the Prime Minister cautioned that major construction is not expected to begin until next year.
“The Caribbean Development Bank has approved in principle, the board has approved a loan for us to do some work on the Northern Pipeline from the Tibbles Dam going north,” Pierre said.
“That loan has been approved, but there are certain steps that have to happen along the way. We insisted to the bank that they had to give that its greatest priority because our situation was crucial as far as WASCO is concerned. The bank agreed, and you will see some movement very quickly on that pipeline.”
In the interim, the government intends to continue repair efforts to reduce water loss and stabilize supply where possible.
“In the meantime, things will happen, but the work on the pipeline, the major works will not start until January next year,” the Prime Minister explained. “A number of steps have to be put in place. Next week, we are going to Cabinet to get a guarantee for the loan, and then the steps have to take place. There must be discussions with the community.”
The announcement comes against the backdrop of worsening drought conditions, with WASCO recently confirming that water levels at the John Compton Dam are significantly below average. Officials attribute the situation to reduced rainfall and rising temperatures, raising concerns about water availability in the months ahead.
Pierre stressed that while infrastructure upgrades are essential, national resilience must also be strengthened through individual and collective action.
“What we must do, we must increase our own resilience,” he stated. “We are in February, hurricane season is coming in June.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted environmental practices as a key factor in water security, urging citizens to take greater responsibility for protecting waterways.
“We must begin to stop any time I see mattresses in the river, in the waterways. You may think that is petty. That is not petty, it is very, very important,” he said.
“Plastics going into our oceans are affecting our fishing and our coral reefs. These are things we can control. These are things we can control, and I want us to try to make a national effort to take care of the things that we have control over.”
As Saint Lucia faces mounting water challenges, the government’s approach combines long-term infrastructure investment with immediate mitigation efforts and a call for greater public participation in environmental stewardship.