Water flowing from a leak near the almond tree in Lower Town.
ST. EUSTATIUS--Water rationing was enacted in St. Eustatius by St. Eustatius Utility Company STUCO on Sunday, May 3, as a multitude of leaks have occurred in Lower Town, at Fort Oranjestraat and in other areas over the past days.
One of the leaks sprang on the mainline at Lower Town which rendered STUCO unable to pump up water to its main storage tank in Lodi for distribution to customers. Also on Monday, customers were deprived of water for several hours.
STUCO stated that it was working very hard to repair these leaks and to start pumping water up to the main tank.
During the rationing water will be available to customers from 5:00 to 8:00am and from 5:00 to 8:00pm. STUCO apologised to its customers for any inconvenience this may cause.
Statia has entered its annual drought season, which has exacerbated the water situation.
“We at STUCO are looking forward … by October/November of this year to having a 500-cubic-foot water plant installed and operational, as well as the placing of all transmission pipes and a much larger storage tank,” head of production at the water and power plant Irvin Jack previously stated. These additions and changes are expected to help curb the island’s water situation.
In the meantime, STUCO reminds its clients to have a form of water storage available for emergency purposes. Customers are also reminded not to fill up their cisterns during this period.
The water rationing comes at a bad time, as residents have to observe good hygienic practices during the current coronavirus pandemic, including frequent handwashing.
