National Assembly Question Time-R6m plan to ease water shortages at Glacis |14 October 2009

Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport Joel Morgan said this yesterday in the National Assembly when answering a question from the district’s MNA David Payet about water shortages there.

Mr Morgan said the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) plans to upgrade the system as soon as funding becomes available.
He said the main cause of the problem is that the pipe is too small (150mm) in diameter, and during the dry season when there is low pressure in the reservoir the residents face shortages.

When there is a shortage, the Carana reservoir which holds 100 kilolitres is filled by bowser and water is provided in this way, he added.

Mr Morgan said the PUC plans to address issues relating to its water storage tanks throughout the country and aims to increase the storage capacity of the two tanks at Glacis – in the L’Ilot area and at North East Point Village.
The PUC will be carrying out the project but some aspects of the work will be outsourced.

Answering a question from elected member for Anse Royale Terence Françoise on new water projects for the Mont Plaisir and Dan Toryen areas, Mr Morgan said work on two tanks will start as soon as funding is available.

He said the new tank at Mont Plaisir, which has been estimated to cost R3.3 million, will include a 200-kilolitre reservoir and a pipe station to provide water for residents living on higher ground in the area. 

For the Dan Toryen residents, he said the PUC is planning to build a 100-kilolitre storage tank to provide treated water to those who are unable to get it from the existing tank.

Mr Morgan also answered a question from elected member for Mont Fleuri Jean-François Ferrari, who asked about the ministry’s plan to widen the Rochon road.

Mr Morgan said a survey has already been done, and the quotation and plan have been submitted to the Land Transport Agency.
He said the project to widen the Rochon road from 3.5m to 5.5m will be put out to tender as soon as funding is available and added that most private property owners have authorised the work.

Other questions Mr Morgan answered related to the environment police, the waste management strategy, the problem of erosion at Anse Aux Pins, sewerage and drainage.