ST. JOHN’S Antigua, 20th April 2022 – The Antigua Public Utilities (APUA) Authority recognizes the importance of access to water for public health and economic growth.

The circumstances of the ongoing drought are the worst that we have experienced in Antigua dating back to 1928. Surface water production ceased in June 2021 and groundwater production has decreased by seventy-five per cent.

Recognizing that we are a progressive country the water demand continues to increase within expanding communities, businesses, and agriculture. Major investments have been steered towards acquiring additional reverse osmosis plants.

The Crabbs Reverse Osmosis Plant formerly Sembcorp is currently undergoing refurbishment on two units. These units were originally commissioned in 1998.

Refurbishment is projected to be completed in mid-May and will increase production by an additional 1,000,000 gallons. This boost will immediately increase water production at the Crabbs Reverse Osmosis Plant to 4,000,000 gallons per day.

Preparatory work continues at the Fort James Reverse Osmosis Plant, The 500,000 gallons plant is expected to arrive in Antigua at the end of May to be commissioned by July 2022.

This will increase the overall production via Reverse Osmosis to 8,000.000 gallons per day.

In the interim, we continue to improve on our mainline replacement with high-density polyethene (HDPE) pipes a robust and versatile material that will improve the flow of water to customers.

This process may cause temporary disruption to roads in communities. Please be assured that we will coordinate and work along with the relevant stakeholders coherently.

Storage of water has always been a priority matter for the Water Business Unit. Four additional storage tanks have been purchased to complement our current capacity.

In 2008 PDV donated six storage tanks that were erected in St. Phillips, fallings, Collins, Barbuda. Montrula, and Patter-sons. Four of these tanks have been commissioned and are in use.

The tanks that are located in Pattersons and Montrula require the channelling of distribution lines in which equipment has been procured.

We are further increasing our Reverse Osmosis production capacity by adding a new plant at Bethesda that is expected to yield 3,200,000 gallons per day. This plant is expected to be commissioned in the last quarter of 2022.

Our goal is to increase our total production to approximately 11,500,000 gallons of water per day; satisfying the demands of potable water one hundred per cent via Reverse Osmosis.

We further implore all residents to actively engage in responsible water conservation practices. The process of reverse osmosis is a costly method and should be conserved as much as possible irrespective that we are surrounded by seawater.

APUA understands that the current situation is undesirable and is committed to working feverishly to provide a service that is favourable to all. We deeply regret all inconvenience caused and ask for your patience and understanding.