WSC sustained $15 mil. – 20 mil. in damage

WSC sustained $15 mil. – 20 mil. in damage

Partial of full water supply restored to 8 of 11 water systems

NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The damage to the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) in Abaco following the passage of Hurricane Dorian is between $15 million to $20 million, according to the corporation’s chairman Adrian Gibson.

As he advised Parliament on the efforts to restore water on the storm-ravaged island, Gibson said the figure was based on “immediate estimates”.

Both the 500,000 imperial gallon storage tank and 250,000 imperial gallon storage tank in Marsh Harbour were severely damaged, while the 250,000 imperial gallon storage tank in Treasure Cay was destroyed.

Gibson said teams in Treasure Cay have repaired in excess of 200 distribution system leaks as “they attempt to restore interim water supply for that community”.

Of the 11 water systems in Abaco, partial or full supply has been restored to eight of them.

Three remain offline.

Around 2.4 million imperial gallons are produced daily on the island.

The desalination plant has been repaired, but remains offline to allow officials to test the system and the water, according to Gibson.

Gibson noted: “Contrary to what I’ve heard last week, the Moore’s Island water supply system that supplies this southern cay is fully operational,” he said.

The chairman also advised that while WSC’s teams restored water supply to many areas in the Abacos, residents in those communities should expect low pressure or no water at times.

“The Water and Sewerage Corporation has been working assiduously to restore water supply in Abaco and also to assist sister water company — the Grand Bahama Utility Company — as best we could,” he said.

He added, “While WSC has been successful is restoring an interim supply for many communities in the Abacos it must be highlighted that there will period of low pressure and/or no water given the fragility of our power generation water productive, pumping and distribution system,” he said.

“In Marsh Harbour, the restoration efforts have been focused on providing water supply for critical government buildings and those housing relief and restoration teams to aid the cleanup and restoration activities. In summary Mr. Speaker, interim water has been restored to most of the city center, Spring City and parts of central Pines, with teams now commencing work to restore supply in Dundas Town and Murphy Town.”