(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Residents in Central Eleuthera experienced a major disruption of their water supply, beginning on Saturday, March 28th, 2015. According to Water and Sewer age Corporation Area Manager for the island of Eleuthera , Mr. Anthony Bostwick, problems at the plant located in Governors Harbour began mid last week when an electrical storm affected equipment there. A valve in one of the high pressure pumps was said to have been damaged.
Mr. Bostwick reported that he was off the island at the time of the incident, and was informed that the real problems began on Saturday when damaged parts caused the pumping system to go down at the plant. Mr. Bostwick commented that while all of Central Eleuthera was being affected the worst hit areas included James’ Cistern, Hatchet Bay, and Gregory Town.
A resident in Eleuthera Island Shores, just south of Gregory Town, shared on Tuesday morning that their home had been without water since Sunday, March 29th and also expressed frustration at not receiving or being able to get any information about what was happening with their water supply.
Mr. Bostwick informed The Eleutheran that in light of the challenge, the pumping system had been reversed to allow a flow of water to be supplied temporarily from North Eleuthera and that he and his staff were working to restore water pressure. He said that customers throughout Central Eleuthera should have experienced a return of their water supply throughout the day on Tuesday, March 31st. He also warned, however, that some customers may still experience challenges because of difficult topography (like hilly areas), as well as air pockets in the lines which he said crews were currently working to find and remove.
To tackle the root cause of the major disruption in water supply Mr. Bostwick stated that replacement parts had been ordered for the damaged equipment which were expected to arrive on the island sometime on Tuesday, March 31st or Wednesday, April 1st, 2015. He added that the Water and Sewerage Corporation would be working diligently to get the damaged equipment up and running as soon as possible.