BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MINISTER of Public Infrastructure the Hon. Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd is calling on the general public to give kudos to those men and women who are working tirelessly to provide the nation with potable water.
This statement comes amidst others as the Federation joins the rest of the world in recognising March 22 World Water Day.
In his address to mark the occasion, Minister Liburd said in St. Kitts there are over 100 persons who perform the difficult task of managing the island’s fresh water resources. He pointed out that part of their daily routine involves capturing water from the Federation’s traditional sources - surface and ground - then have it treated, stored and distributed to consumers in various sections of the island.
He noted that the task encompasses bringing water from various sources to taps is a “challenging work” that requires a wide variety of disciplines working together.
To this end, he commended those mechanics, electricians, masons, pipefitters, treatment plant and pump operators, foremen, inspectors and engineers, all of whom he noted are working in “concert to deliver a safe and reliable water supply to the general public”.
“Their job has oftentimes been described as invisible because it is concentrated in remote areas, including the mountains of Phillip’s Village, Greenhill in Cayon and Wingfield Mountain in Old Road. They drill wells in excess of 300 feet below the earth’s surface and pump water to storage reservoirs nestled in the many hills all around our island.
“The pipelines that connect these sources to the storage tanks and to consumers are hidden three feet underground. This work is rarely seen and seldom appreciated. I therefore encourage the general public to pause on March 22nd, 2016, ‘World Water Day’, and reflect on the good work the employees of the Water Services Department continue to perform so as to ensure a daily flow of water through our taps. A job that is even more challenging as we endure this historic drought.”
This commendation comes on the heels of a prolonged drought-like period, which goes back to 2015 when St. Kitts and Nevis was faced with a prolonged water shortage that saw the Department instituting a period of rationing.
SKNVibes understands that it is an ongoing process in several areas on St. Kitts.
Just recently this publication had reported that the Department had found traces of salt water intrusion in the Basseterre Aquifer; a concern that was raised by Minister Liburd at the launching of Earth Week in St. Kitts and Nevis.
With this year’s event being celebrated under the theme ‘Water and Jobs’, the Minister pointed out that many persons in the Federation are dependent on the constant supply of water for a variety of reasons.
“Our local bottlers, be it soft drinks, beer or water, provide employment for significant portions of our population. Our farmers as well need water to irrigate their crops if they are to sustain their families, feed the nation and help the country to achieve food security. The hotels need water not only to cook, clean and wash, but also to maintain the positive visitor experience to our destination.”
Against that backdrop, he noted that with the Federation welcoming over one million cruise visitors for 2015-2016, it is clear that there is a correlation among water, tourism and jobs which could not be overlooked.
“An unreliable supply of good quality water will jeopardise tourism, kill jobs, destroy livelihoods and ultimately ruin families,” he stressed.
The Water Services Department has planned a month of activities to highlight the importance of World Water Day.
World Water Day was first observed in 1992 by the United Nations and it is used to highlight issues surrounding the use of the life saving element.
