Water shortage
plagues island
~ Water to be bought from French side ~
PHILIPSBURG--Residents in several areas across the Dutch side woke up yesterday to a slow trickle of water and in some cases no water at all, prompting the Island Government to consider alternative sources of providing water.
Empty water tanks due to a shortfall in water production coupled with the starting of the high tourist season are two of the reasons given for the current potable water woes.
Commissioner Roy Marlin, who is also chairman of the board of the local utility company GEBE which is responsible for water distribution, said efforts were being made to remedy the shortfall of water production by purchasing water from the French side. A meeting is set for Wednesday to finalise and start the purchasing of water from the northern side of the island.
Adding to the burden on the system was the official shutting down of the Aquadesign water production plant in Mullet Bay. The plant has been deemed too old to continue in production.
Meantime, water production company Air Fin is building its water plant, which is expected to come online by December.
Pointe Blanche, Pelican, Mary’s Fancy, Dawn Beach, Guana Bay and Oyster Pond were some of the areas most affected over the last two days.
Oyster Bay Beach Resort was particularly hard hit by the shortage that started on Saturday. The resort’s General Manager Jan Borjse said that as the water pressure dropped the resort’s cistern had kicked in, but the water in the cistern was not sufficient to cater to the hotel’s needs for a prolonged period.
He said the water supply had resumed around 8:00pm on Saturday, but on Sunday morning the resort had no power or water. The water shortage over the weekend was a hassle for many of the hotel’s clients, who were either settling in from a long trip or packing to end their vacations.
Efforts to contact GEBE officials for comment Monday proved futile.
