SXMElections.com

POINTE BLANCHE--The equipment and installations for the construction of the second seawater reverse osmosis plant in Pointe Blanche have been ordered.

The long-term Water Supply Agreement of Government with Seven Seas/AirFin, signed in November 2012, includes the supply, construction and operation of two new, state-of-the-art reverse osmosis plants. These plants are modular systems capable of producing 3,700 m3 per day each, a press release issued on Thursday said.

At an average, household consumption of half a cubic metre per day, one plant produces sufficient water to supply 7,400 homes on a daily basis.

The agreement states that the second plant shall be operational mid February 2016. Earlier this year (2014) SSW informed Government of its decision to build the second plant in 2014 if GEBE could install electricity and water lines to supply electricity to the plant and take in water from the plant. To date, Minister of Health responsible for water Cornelius de Weever and government have not received an answer from GEBE management, the Board of Supervisory Directors or its “shareholder” representative.

“GEBE is not ready yet, as even the new pump station, build to take in the water from the first plant, is not connected to the grid, let alone being operational,” De Weever said in the press release.

“Having the second plant in service, leads to a very advantageous position with respect to installed capacity for production of drinking water, as it comes with no additional cost for St. Maarten until February 2016. The second new plant will further safeguard the production of drinking water for the community and allows other production units to be scheduled out for maintenance.”

De Weever said maintenance of storage tanks and water lines would be possible without running the risk of not being able to supply water to customers. The Harbour and GEBE could expand the profitable venture of supplying water to ships. More water could be supplied to the French-side, which is also beneficial for Dutch St Maarten. Seven Seas Water has committed itself to build the second plant as soon as GEBE can provide the infrastructure to supply power and take in water produced by the plant.

The Water Supply Agreement of Government and Seven Seas Water also include the supply of two water tanks. The first one is in operation. GEBE has, however, halted the construction of the second water storage tank in Pointe Blanche for unknown reasons. The foundation has been completed and all tank sections are in St. Maarten, stored in containers awaiting action of GEBE.