The Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) signed two contracts yesterday totaling just over $9 million to extend piped, potable water to hundreds of residents of Little Exuma, Alexander and Barraterre, Exuma for the first time and to provide major water supply improvements in George Town.

During a press conference at WSC's head office on University Drive, Minister of Works and Utilities Alfred Sears said Bakerwick Construction Company Limited, in a joint venture with Tycoon Management, were contracted to supply, install, test and commission 8.5 miles of new water mains to serve the communities of Little Exuma, including the provision for the new water service connections for 425 homes and businesses at a contract price of $4,471,408.88. The work is expected to take 230 calendar days to complete, he said.

The second contract was signed with Rowdy Boys Construction to supply, install, test and commission a little over three miles of water mains replacements, including the replacement of 200 water service connections to homes and businesses in the George Town area.

Sears said the contract scope also includes the provision of 6.2 miles of new water mains to serve the communities of Alexander and Barraterre, including the provision of 130 new water service connections for homes and businesses. The projects are anticipated to be completed within 180 calendar days after the contractor commences his work, Sears said. The contract price is $4,617,144.38 million.

"This approximately $9.1 million in contract works is being coordinated in conjunction with the Ministry of Works and Utilities with ongoing road paving works on mainland Exuma, to ensure that the required underground infrastructure is installed, tested and commissioned prior to road paving works," Sears said.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, the member of Parliament for the Exumas and Ragged Island, thanked WSC on behalf of his constituents.

"Many people may or may not know that I was born and grew up in Forbes Hill, Little Exuma," Cooper said.

"I've waited for this for 50 years. The day has finally come where we can bring running water to Little Exuma, and of course to the people of Barraterre for the very first time.

"When you live with the lack of running water, this means so much more than simply the signing and execution of a contract. This is a significant improvement to the way of life for the people in these communities. It demonstrates that they have not been forgotten. This is extremely significant for the residents, but also for the growth of all of these areas."

Cooper added that the execution of the works will be the catalysts for even faster economic growth that will benefit the people of Little Exuma.

WSC is making arrangements to put in place additional storage, pumping capacity and standby power generation, to improve the reliability of its supply for western Exuma, Sears said.

He added that the corporation will also be working with local and international stakeholders to support the refurbishment of the Exuma Wastewater Treatment Plant, and improve the collection of wastewater from developments in the George Town waterfront area and boats moored in Elizabeth Harbour.

The post WSC signs $9 mil. in contracts for piped water in Exuma appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

The post WSC signs $9 mil. in contracts for piped water in Exuma appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

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