The Bermuda Government has unveiled plans to introduce a more efficient and sustainable water system throughout St George’s.

Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works, announced that a $225,000 study to look into the longstanding issue had begun and would be completed by March 2017.

Mr Cannonier told a press conference yesterday that the Government would be consulting with a raft of stakeholders as well as holding public information sessions as part of the project.

“The Ministry of Public Works has recently begun a study to formulate a strategy for sustainable water and wastewater servicing for St George’s parish,” he said.

“The study will define existing constraints and capacities, consider and evaluate alternatives and identify preferred water and wastewater servicing options.

“The project involves an information review of the current water supply and sewage systems in St George’s parish to offer options for management of service delivery, identify the infrastructure investment required to deliver a sustainable service for 25 years, and complete a financial analysis of the current and proposed service delivery systems.”

Mr Cannonier revealed that the Ministry of Public Works had partnered with Associated Engineering (International) Ltd for the project.

He acknowledged that the existing system for waste management and water in St George’s was “not sustainable” and “piecemeal” and said he hoped the new study would lay the groundwork for a national water strategy.

“The Government wishes to ensure that anyone with an interest in this study has an opportunity to be involved and to provide input. Information will be made available through a project website and upcoming public information centres,” he said.

“Opportunities for input will be made available through the project website via an online survey and a project e-mail address.

“Our long-term aim is the provision of a robust and reliable water and wastewater service to all islanders and visitors, in a way that will allow Bermuda to be recognised as a leader in sustainability.”

The project e-mail address is stgeorgewww plan@gov.bm