Weekend rain pours out a mixed bag on WASCO

The Water and Sewerage Company, Inc (WASCO) has experienced  mixed fortunes with the recent, unseasonal heavy rainfall around the island.  In the north, the incessant rainfall ensured that the John Compton Dam was replenished, erasing fears of  impending drought conditions.  As of Monday, May 7, water levels at the Dam exceeded 334 feet, which means that water is now flowing over the spillway.  Just last month, the company had considered a rationing programme to conserve the water supply, with the water level in the dam receding to 227.1 feet (or about six feet below the spillway).
In the south, recent improvements to the Grace intake and treatment facility allowed the system to remain open longer than usual, despite the heavy rainfall.  However, heavy siltation at the Beausejour and old Grace intakes forced crews to shut down the system late Sunday, May 6.  On Monday, May 7, the water supply system was reopened partially, but WASCO is continuing to monitor the weather, as it may become necessary to close the system again, sometime in the day.  Residents of Grace; Beausejour, Vieux Fort; Laborie and some surrounding areas have been affected.
The water supply to residents of Dennery; Thomazo; Derniere Riviere; and Desruisseaux is also being affected by high turbidity and clogged intakes today.  Further, the supply to Patience has been interrupted due to a damaged 6” main and clogged intakes.  The supply to these areas will be restored in Patience after the main is repaired, and in the other areas, after the intakes are cleared and the water quality improves. WASCO regrets the inconvenience these interruptions have caused to our customers and we assure the public that we are doing all we can to get water to the affected areas as quickly as possible.