SOURCE: ABS

The Public Utilities Ministry says it has made a major step toward increasing the production of potable water, through a partnership with US-based Seven Seas Water Group. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Melford Nicholas says the APUA is approaching the final stages of preparing the site for the installation of an additional plant at the Ffyes Beach Reverse Osmosis Plant. This will result in the doubling of daily production at the facility to two million imperial gallons of water.

This is expected to result in a sea change for residents in the south of Antigua, eliminating the challenges of intermittent supply between Jennings and Old Road.

Regarding the second plant under the Seven Seas deal earmarked for the Ivan Rodrigues Plant at Barnacle Point, the Ministry says construction is set to commence in the first quarter of next year.

The Government has signed a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer agreement with Seven Seas, under which the company will offset the costs for the installation of the units, operate them for a 12-year period, and then transfer them to the APUA’s ownership.