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By Aabigayle McIntosh
The government has completed negotiations with the US-based Seven Seas Water group for the production of an additional 3 million gallons of potable water per day for residents.
The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has indicated that the agreement is set to be signed on Monday at the APUA Business Centre.
The 3 million gallons from Seven Seas will be provided from the Ffryes Reverse Osmosis plant and Ivan Rodrigues facilities.
Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas said this will satisfy the demand for water including for new housing projects being developed by the government.
Speaking on Point FM he also spoke about the impending increase in the price of water for commercial customers.
“This is in training at the moment, I would expect that matter to be gazette very shortly, and for the rates to come into effect for where cruise ships are concerned, they are going to pay full value and a little premium to be able to acquire the halt filled with a scare commodity that Antiguans have to do without sometimes,” the minister said.
This increase should have taken effect on March 1, residents will also be paying more at some point when a more dedicated supply is available.
It doesn’t matter if water is subsidized by the other Departments – APUA is one utility company. Water is essential for life and they should strive to keep rates low. However, if a small increase in rates is needed to ensure a constant supply, so be it. They should not pursue a large increase just to have that Department pay for itself. Congrats on the Public-Private partnership – whatever they have to do to achieve a consistent supply at a reasonable price is ok.