WSC obtains injunction against reverse osmosis operator over Eleuthera supply disruption

WSC obtains injunction against reverse osmosis operator over Eleuthera supply disruption
Chairman of the Water & Sewerage Corporation, Adrian Gibson.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Water & Sewerage Corporation (WSC) has obtained a Supreme Court injunction against a reverse osmosis plant operator, asserting that it “deliberately and egregiously” shut off the water supply to the people of Central Eleuthera.

Eleuthera residents have had their water supply disrupted for the past several days.

The corporation said in a statement that it has “obtained an injunction against a reverse osmosis operator (of foreign origin) after that company deliberately and egregiously shut off the water supply to the people of Central Eleuthera.”

Eyewitness News understands that the company in question is Aqua Design Bahamas Ltd.

The statement continued: “These acts come amid the worst global pandemic in the last 100 years, a pandemic where clean water and the maintenance of good hygiene is paramount. This contract, and several other related contracts, were signed under a previous Administration.

“The water has been turned back on in Central Eleuthera and, given the shutdown, customers (particularly those at higher elevations) will experience low pressure as the distribution system is being pressurized.”

The corporation expressed its apologies to the people of Central Eleuthera for the inconvenience caused by these unfortunate actions.

“WSC will take every action to protect the people of Eleuthera and the Bahamas and their right to have access to water.  Even as we face COVID-19, the Corporation has endeavored to continue with regular payments to reverse osmosis providers,” the statement said.

According to the statement, WSC attorneys appeared Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles upon the instructions of WSC Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson to obtain the injunction.

On Friday, the order was filed and served upon the company in question according to WSC.

“The Order includes a penal notice which declares that the said company and its agents “may be held to be in contempt of Court and may be imprisoned or fined or have your assets seized” should the Order be disobeyed or breached.

The Supreme Court’s Order directs that the Defendant company is “forthwith compelled to immediately reinstate production and supply of water to the Central Eleuthera Settlements” and to “cease and desist the demobilization process thereunder.”