Source: Date: Updated: |
TheBahamasInvestor.com
Monday, November 14, 2011 Monday, November 14, 2011 |
After more than 30 years, the government will be able to discontinue the barging of water from Andros to New Providence beginning next month, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced Friday in Eleuthera.
The prime minister’s announcement came as he commissioned water works for the Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound settlements.
The only islands of The Bahamas with sufficient ground water to meet the needs of growing communities are Abaco, Andros and Grand Bahama. This does not, however, extend to their cays.
Bahama Islands such as Rum Cay, Ragged Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Cat Island and San Salvador, are also water deficient.
“As a consequence alternate means to produce and deliver water had to be found,” said Ingraham. “Water produced from desalination plants has not always been as affordable as it has become with the advance of technology.”
In recent times the government has installed desalination plants on Exuma, Long Island, Bimini, San Salvador, Inagua, Ragged Island and in New Providence. Plants were also erected in Moore’s Island and Grand Cay Abaco.
“As in New Providence, my government is committed to improving public infrastructure and improving the quality of public utilities available to Bahamians regardless to their island of residence,”?said Ingraham. “This is not only a matter of convenience; it is very importantly about ensuring the health of our nation. Access to safe, potable water is fundamental to healthy living.”
tblair@dupuch.com