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Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 21, 2018 (SKNIS): World Water Day, celebrated annually on March 22, promotes the importance of water conservation in the Federation, said Manager of the Water Services Department, Mr. Dennison Paul, on the Government’s Weekly Programme, “Working for You” on March 21.

Mr. Paul said that the theme for this year is “Nature for Water,” which speaks to the sustainable management of water. He encouraged the public to support the importance of nature-based solutions as a means to ensuring the sustainability of water in the Federation.

 Mr. Paul outlined activities that the department will be undertaking to commemorate “World Water Day” throughout the month of March into April.

These activities include a church service at the Wesley Methodist Church, a weeklong of community visits including the light manufacturing plants (factories) at the Cap Southwell Industrial Park. Additionally, the staff will be appearing on television and radio shows throughout the month and conducting a cleanup of the La Guerite Water Treatment Plant (tomorrow), March 22 on World Water Day.

He further noted that the activities will continue at the end of April with school visits and an island wide “WaterCade” on Saturday, April 28. The objective of the “WaterCade” is to promote the sustainable use of water resources.

“The government has plans of investing in solar energy and considering geothermal,” he said, while noting that this will help to combat the high electrical cost of pumping water from underground. He explained that the Water Department is one of the highest users of electricity on the island as a substantial amount of energy is needed to pump the water from underground up to the wells.

Mr. Paul revealed that 98 percent of the population in St. Kitts has access to clean drinking water, while the government is working diligently to ensure it provides access to the additional two percent.

“We have universal access to water in St. Kitts and Nevis. My Minister, the Minister responsible for Water has pledged that he intends to provide pipe water to each home in St. Kitts,” he stated.