CAT ISLAND, The Bahamas – Very soon Cat Island residents will no longer have to harvest rain water or obtain this valuable commodity from private wells, standpipes or water tanks in well fields.

The Water & Sewerage Corporation (WSC) broke ground, Monday, which will bring potable water to Cat Island for the first time.

“Oh Cat Island, it’s your time. This is your historic undertaking today,” said WSC

Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson.

“The purpose of this project is to provide you with a safe, sustainable, reliable supply of potable water that meets World Health Organization water standards by all parameters. It will be delivered directly into your homes, on demand any time that you want. You don’t have to worry about drawing water from your well or about rationing water from your tanks,” he told the residents.

“We know that wells, stand pipes and all others are subject to changing weather patterns, drought, sea water infiltration, interrupted water supply and poor water quality -- especially when it’s a hurricane; we intend to change that.”

The ceremony was held on the grounds of the District Council Office in New Bight. Among those in attendance: Bennett Minnis; board member; Elwood Donaldson, general manager; Cyprian Gibson, assistant general manager, Family Island Division; Donnie Newbold, chief operator; Dale Gelin, administrator; Chris Wilson, Island Site Development Bahamas, Local Government representatives and local community leaders.

Approximately 12 miles of pipe will be installed in the work which is scheduled to be undertaken in two lots within 12 months at a cost of more than $3 million.

They are:

Lot #1: Wilson Bay and Bennet Harbour settlements (120 service connections) 350-feet of 6-inch pipe

10,400 feet of 4-inch pipe 6,100 feet of 2-inch pipe

Lot #2: Douds and Moss Town ending at Old Bight (175 service connections) 3,500 feet of 6-inch pipe

32,500 feet of 4-inch pipe 9,500 feet of 2-inch pipe

The Corporation is presently executing a Water Supply Improvement project which is funded through a $28.3 million from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and $13.3 million counterpart funding from the Bahamas Government. This initiative includes two projects in New Providence and six Family Islands.

“We are here to fulfill a commitment to deliver potable water to you the people of Cat Island. It’s the first ever installation of water mains on the entire island and it is anticipated that these works would spark a boost to your economic outlook and a population growth on the island.

“Cat Island, we are here to lay some 780,000 inches/65,000 feet of pipe and we expect that once done it would reduce the amount of tankering that you now see on this island and it would be the start -- step at a time -- to getting the whole of Cat Island potable water. Today we want to reduce and eventually end your days of toting water from the well.”

Moreover, the Chairman indicated that although the initial project work will only include a fraction of the island, the WSC is committed to expanding the system and providing the entire island with water as far as possible and as future budgets would allow.