Head of the Project Management Unit at the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), Morris Norville, has warned that climate change is taking an increasing toll on the island’s already fragile water system, as the company pushes forward with critical infrastructure upgrades to stabilize supply.
Speaking at a press conference this week, Norville said Saint Lucia’s water security challenges stem from both environmental and human factors, many of which are beyond WASCO’s control.
“Our water system is heavily dependent on rainfall and river flow,” Norville explained. “Climate change is disrupting the natural water cycle. Even during the rainy season, we experience shortages because flash flooding, soil erosion, and high sediment levels make treatment difficult. We cannot distribute water that doesn’t meet safety standards.”
He outlined how longer dry seasons, increasing temperatures, and more extreme weather events are creating a “perfect storm” for the island’s water supply. “Reduced rainfall and higher evaporation lower river levels, while demand for water continues to rise. At the same time, hurricanes and storms damage our pipes and infrastructure,” Norville said.
Norville also pointed to several man-made issues exacerbating the situation, including pollution, agricultural runoff, illegal dumping, deforestation, and the unauthorized abstraction of river water. “Water security isn’t just WASCO’s responsibility, government agencies, businesses, and citizens all have a role to play,” he emphasized.
Saint Lucia’s ageing water infrastructure, combined with population growth and expanding tourism, has further strained the system. “Some of our pipelines have been in operation well beyond their intended design life,” Norville said. “Leaks and losses are inevitable, but we’re tackling them through phased replacement and rehabilitation.”
To address these challenges, WASCO has secured a US$22.8 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), with support from the Government of Saint Lucia, to replace five kilometers of raw water pipelines from the John Compton Dam to the Ciceron Thoebalds treatment plants.
“The project will significantly increase the volume of water transported to our main treatment facilities in the north and reduce non-revenue water, that is, water lost before reaching consumers,” Norville said. Designs are complete, and procurement for a project supervisor is now underway. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026and take two years to complete.
In addition, WASCO is advancing the next phase of the Northern Pipeline Upgrade Project, extending works from the Monier Gap to the Gros Islet area. That project, funded through the Bank of Saint Lucia, aims to boost water pressure to northern communities and reduce leaks.
Contractor selection is expected to be finalized by November 2025, with construction beginning in December and completion targeted for March 2026.
While WASCO continues to invest in modernizing its network, Norville urged citizens to conserve water and protect natural resources. “Water is not infinite,” he said. “Every individual, household, and business has a role in ensuring water security, from preventing pollution to using water responsibly. It’s going to take all of us to safeguard this resource for the future.”
