This partnership formed to identify fast-working, effective measures to improve erratic water supply and security in the Vieux Fort area of Saint Lucia, to collectively secure the water supply for communities and businesses in the area, and to foster active participation from villagers and civil society organizations in collaboration with the public water utility and private businesses in the area.

The International Water Stewardship Programme (IWaSP) seeks to initiate multi-stakeholder partnerships with the private sector, the public sector and the civil society in order to formulate and implement measures to improve water security for all parties. IWaSP has initiated a partnership with the public sector of St. Lucia, the National Water and Wastewater company (WASCO) and the Windward & Leeward Brewery Limited in order to find and implement measures for improved water management on the island.

This partnership formed to achieve several objectives in a participatory manner. Among the objectives were to identify fast-working, effective measures to improve erratic water supply and security in the Vieux Fort area at the southern tip of the island of Saint Lucia, to collectively secure the water supply for communities and businesses in the area, and to generate and foster active participation from villagers and civil society organizations in collaboration with the public water utility and private businesses in the area.

Project Results

After partners had committed to water stewardship cooperation in the Vieux Fort area of southern Saint Lucia in early 2015, they signed a ‘Letter of Intent’ (LoI) in July 2015. This, in turn, paved the way for entering into financing agreements by the end of 2015 between GIZ and WASCO and HEINEKEN and WASCO respectively.

In parallel, the ‘Saint Lucia Water Stewardship Partnership’ developed a business case before the end of 2015, which foresaw the development of extra water storage capacities and supply systems in up to three mountainous villages located in the headwaters of Vieux Fort.

As soon as the business case had been approved by all parties involved, WASCO launched the tender for an additional 75,000 imperial gallon glass-fused to steel potable water tank in La Haut village according to official tender procedures in Saint Lucia and through government facilities. The contract was awarded to a Saint Lucian company in early April 2016 but actual work on the ground was delayed by a couple of months due to an unforeseen administrative obstacle.

In parallel to the tendering and contracting measures, WASCO organized meetings with civil society organizations (CSO) and community groups made up of churches, schools, youth and sports councils, mothers and fathers groups, wellness centers, community leaders, hotels, and businesses such as the mini bus association.