By Elesha George
With the exception of scheduled maintenance, water availability on a 24/7 basis is what the Antigua and Barbuda Public Utilities Authority (APUA) is promising by September 2025.
This goal hinges on a planned expansion of water production capacity by 7.7 million gallons by the end of 2025, according to Melford Nicholas, the minister responsible for Public Utilities. APUA also aims to increase its water storage capacity to meet peak demand and establish a three-day reserve of 27 million gallons, up from the current 13 to14 million gallons.
To achieve this, the government-operated utilities company is investing in modern well-drilling equipment, upgrading groundwater resources and adopting advanced technologies such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems. These efforts are intended to resolve long-standing water challenges exacerbated by droughts and aging infrastructure.
The utilities company is collaborating with private entities, including Seven Seas Water Group, North Sound Water Management Group, and Cuba Hidráulica, to optimize the use of both surface and groundwater resources.
APUA General Manager John Bradshaw said, “Between now and the end of next year, we intend to have all the construction, or most of it, completed—about 7.7 million gallons more in the system.”
Approximately 60 percent of the funding for the expansion is already secured. “We are 100 per cent sure, so long as we construct these plants, we will be able to meet the demand sustainably,” Bradshaw assured, while acknowledging that delays could arise if the remaining funds are not secured.
Planned Upgrades
Key upgrades include relocating a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant from Bethesda to Crabbs. This move, Bradshaw explained, will save the government approximately $20 million by leveraging existing infrastructure at the Crabbs site.
Additionally, APUA is digitising its water distribution systems to improve efficiency and customer responsiveness. The introduction of advanced metering systems will enable remote readings and more proactive management. “We should be able to tell you in advance when maintenance will occur in your area and the expected duration,” Bradshaw added.
New storage tanks are also slated for construction in Friars Hill, Santa Maria Hill and Old Road. The authority plans to continue upgrading the water distribution network by installing new mains and pump systems.
Potworks Dam and other Groundwater Sources
APUA is also depending on residents to play their part to ensure there is available, clean potable water across the island. “Contamination is an issue,” remarked hydrologist Veronica Yearwood as she warned residents against removing ghaut sand from groundwater storage areas.
She said residents should refrain from illegal dumping and unregulated sand removal, which harm watercourses and groundwater storage. “We’ve had too many instances where we’ve had to call the police and it is illegal.”
To assist in maintaining ground water sources, Cuban specialists from Cuba Hidráulica will collaborate with APUA’s hydrology team to enhance water management systems including the rehabilitation of surface water reservoirs such as Potworks Dam.
According to Minister Nicholas there is a fundamental leak in the dam at the lower end of the spillway which doesn’t allow optimum storage when there’s rain and run off water. “And that leak also regrettably results in a loss of the water that we have in the dam before we have an opportunity to cure it and to put it in the system,” he said.
The Cuban specialists, alongside local hydrologists, have been tasked to investigate the entire watershed of the Potworks Dam. This will include the management and use within that watershed and fixing those leaks.
A management consulting group is scheduled to arrive in Antigua next week to review APUA’s strategic challenges and recommend a restructuring of the organization.
These remarks were shared during an APUA press conference last Friday, where the authority detailed its plans to boost the island’s water production and distribution systems.
