Over the years, more households have become dependent on trucked R.O. water deliveries to fill cisterns, which has increased demand on the distribution system. At the same time, parts of the current infrastructure are now more than 10 years old and are connected to even older sections of the network.
At present, technical problems with key pumps in the system are affecting how quickly and consistently water can move through the distribution line. This has reduced the amount of water that can safely be pushed through the network at one time.
For this reason, the filling station in The Bottom has remained closed over the past months (Public Notices | Public Entity Saba). The Bottom station fills trucks very quickly, and under the current conditions the system cannot keep up with that demand while also maintaining water flow to other parts of the network and supporting water production further up the line.
To better manage the available supply, trucking operations are currently being handled through the filling stations in Windwardside and Zion’s Hill. These locations place less strain on the system and allow water distribution to continue in a more stable and manageable way while repair work is ongoing.
Specialized equipment recently arrived from the Netherlands together with technical experts from VEI (Dutch Water Operators), who are working together with the local team to improve the system. This includes adding new pumps and making adjustments aimed at improving water flow and reducing interruptions within the distribution network.
In addition to the immediate repairs, work is also ongoing to strengthen the long-term reliability of the island’s water infrastructure through maintenance, replacement equipment, and continued technical support and training for local personnel.
Public Entity Saba would also like to remind the community that the consumer price for R.O. water remains fixed at $40 per load / 1000 gallons. Updated information regarding water services and pricing will continue to be published on the Public Entity Saba website: Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water | Public Entity Saba
Public Entity Saba understands that the current situation is frustrating for residents, businesses, and truck operators, and we thank the community for its continued patience and cooperation while this work continues.
We also encourage everyone to continue using water responsibly. Even with ongoing improvements to the system, water conservation remains important to help ensure a stable and sustainable supply for the island.
Further updates will be shared as work progresses.
