CASTRIES, St Lucia — The John Compton Dam dispute has intensified political tensions over St Lucia’s long-running water shortages, with opposition figures accusing the government of delays that have prolonged hardship for residents in the island’s north.
Dominic Fedee, the former UWP representative for Anse La Raye-Canaries, accused the administration of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of mismanaging the island’s water crisis, arguing that key infrastructure meant to improve supply in the north was left idle for years.
Fedee said pipes purchased under the former UWP administration in 2021 to help address chronic water disruptions in northern communities have remained unused. He said portions of the line were installed from Monchy Gap to Key Largo Gap, but the works were never completed to carry the network farther north.
According to Fedee, that delay has prolonged hardship for residents who continue to face unreliable service. He said some households have been forced to truck water to their homes, while others have gone for extended periods without a regular supply despite having storage tanks and other measures in place.
Pipeline delays deepen northern water challenges
The government has maintained that progress is now underway to address the issue.
Prime Minister Pierre recently announced that funding had been secured to install a pipeline from Bonne Terre Gap to Gros Islet Gap, with construction expected to begin within weeks. The Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) has also indicated that upgrades to northern water infrastructure are imminent.
Fedee acknowledged the planned works but said the intervention comes “five years too late,” arguing that earlier completion of the pipeline could have reduced the severity of water disruptions experienced by residents.
The north of the island, including growing residential and tourism zones, has long faced an inconsistent water supply, particularly during dry periods or infrastructure strain, underscoring the already bleak WASCO water situation in parts of St Lucia.
Questions over spending keep the John Compton Dam dispute alive
The John Compton Dam, the island’s main water collection facility, has been at the center of ongoing political debate, particularly regarding the cost and management of its desilting and rehabilitation.
Fedee referenced the approximately EC$60 million spent on the project, rejecting claims of wrongdoing tied to the expenditure. He cited a technical report by Golder Associates, which outlined plans for continued desilting and rehabilitation of the facility.
According to Fedee, the report supported ongoing work at the dam, and he suggested the controversy surrounding the project has been overstated, with the current administration expected to continue the process.
The government has not publicly responded in detail to the latest claims but has consistently defended its approach to water infrastructure upgrades and the dam’s rehabilitation.
The dispute underscores broader concerns about water security in St Lucia, where aging infrastructure, population growth, and climate variability continue to strain supply systems. With new pipeline works pending, the effectiveness and timeliness of these interventions are likely to remain under close public and political scrutiny.
