APUA Cancels Plans for R/O Plant at Bethesda

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has halted its previous plans to establish a new reverse osmosis plant in Bethesda.

According to General Manager John Bradshaw, the authority will instead focus on constructing the new facility at Crabbes Peninsula, which will replace an existing, aging plant that has been in operation for decades.

During a press briefing last Friday, Bradshaw emphasized that this strategic shift is intended to benefit both APUA and the residents of Antigua. He explained that the current plant at Crabbes, built-in 1988 by Enerserv, has outlived its economic viability.

“Every piece of equipment has a finite life cycle—an economic life and a production life. Unfortunately, this plant has exceeded its economic life, leading to escalating maintenance costs. Reverse osmosis plants are energy-intensive, and the old facility is becoming increasingly uneconomical to operate.”

Bradshaw outlined the authority’s plan to gradually decommission the old plant while simultaneously advancing the construction of the new facility at Crabbes.

According to him, this decision is rooted in sound economics and operational practicality. “This aging plant has become inefficient and unreliable. Transitioning to a new plant at Crabbes is not only logical but also expedites our timeline, as all the necessary infrastructure is already set up at that location,” he elaborated.

Highlighting the financial implications of the decision, Bradshaw noted that building the new plant in Bethesda would incur significantly higher costs, requiring the addition of new tanks, distribution systems, and feeder systems. In contrast, the infrastructure at Crabbes is readily available, saving an estimated $20 million in project expenses.

In conclusion, Bradshaw reaffirmed APUA’s commitment to enhancing water supply reliability and efficiency through this new initiative, ensuring that the needs of the community are met efficiently and cost-effectively.an additional seven million gallons of water to the system by the end of 2025.