CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (August 18, 2010) — The Nevis Island Administration [NIA], through the ministry of Works and Public Utilities says plans are progressing as scheduled for the $30 million water redevelopment project.

The project, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank [CDB], is expected to include the installation of fire hydrants and new valves island-wide as well as the purchasing of new equipment and vehicles for the Nevis Water Department [NWD].

Junior Minister with responsibility for Communications, Works and Public Utilities, Natural Resources and the Environment, Honourable Carlisle Powell, said this redevelopment will bring about a complete transformation of the island’s water service.

“This will see us for the first time since the 1980s build brand new reservoirs. We will be upgrading a significant portion of the water lines that we have in terms of the pumping mains and in terms of the distribution mains that we have on Nevis,” Minister Powell said.

The NIA’s redevelopment plan is geared towards the longevity and sustainability of the NWD and as such, internal changes to foster growth and development will also take effect.

“We will be training our people at NWD and we are looking as well at making the Nevis Water Department a statutory body similar to Nevlec, similar to the Ports Authority so that they will be able to get things done in a much more speedy manner so that they will be able to procure their own supplies and equipment on a timely basis,” Minister Powell said.

The project, which was approved by the CDB in March of this year, is currently in the search for project manager stage. While the NWD will select the project manager, the NIA has secured the assistance of other qualified persons.

“Fortunately we have the experience of Mr. Brian Kennedy, our Water Development Engineer, who we brought back to work with us and so Mr. Kennedy will be playing a very important and integral role in the development of the new water system,” Minister Powell said.

The island’s water service will also be improved through the funding and constructing of several water wells. These include wells at Indian Castle, New River and Hamilton.