Hundreds of Long Island residents now have running water for the first time after the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) formally turned on the valves to two areas of the island yesterday.

WSC Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson called it a “red letter” day for the island, and said the WSC has committed to continuing the expansion of the water network on the island with a fifth lot, which is currently being negotiated.

He said Long Island’s project cost about $15 million to complete thus far.

Yesterday, four lots were turned on, including lots one and two which covers homes and businesses in Salt Pond, Pinders, Bowers, Gray’s, and Steven’s to Clarence Town, while lots three and four provide service to Millerton, Bunches, Deals, Scrub Hill, Sims Doctor’s Creek, Bains, Morris and Wemyss.

Gibson said lots one and two alone brought water service connections to more than 300 structures.

Included in the works was the purchase and installation of a “first-class” reverse osmosis water treatment plant and a 250,000 imperial gallon storage tank.

Gibson said those additions mean that as the island develops further, the growth in the number of service connections will be able to be sustained by the current system. 

“While we understand that  sections of the island are still in need of access to potable water and infrastructure, I want to assure the residents of Long Island that we are committed to providing this entire island with potable water,” said Gibson.

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