Devonshire is expected to start flowing later this week, according to the company's managing director.

Mr. Douglas Fetigan said that the company's new $3.7 million reverse osmosis operation should be "on-line'' later this week but an official opening will not take place until the end of July. The new plant is expected to double the company's water production capacity. Watlington also has a plant in Devonshire which treats brackish water through electrodialysis but the new plant will be the first time the company has turned to the ocean for water.

"We are not anticipating an increase in cost'' to the consumer, Mr. Fetigan said, adding Watlington has kept its costs at $15 per 1,000 gallons for about three years.

Prior to the desalinisation plant's first full operation, components of the system have been tested separately, he noted. Watlington will have manufacturers' engineers on site to oversee the operation's first phase.

The reverse osmosis plant was designed by Ionics Inc. of Boston and the building, about 100 feet by 50 feet and about 30 feet high, was constructed by Burland, Conyers & Marirea.

When up and running, it will produce 500,000 gallons of water daily with two future phases expected to jump production to 750,000 and one million gallons per day respectively.

Salt water is pumped 200 feet from on-site wells. The water gets some natural rock filtration before it begins its route through the reverse osmosis process.

The salt water is then pushed through a semi-permeable membrane which separates the salt water from the drinking water. The process includes energy recovery as well, with pressure needed to push the salt water through the membrane eventually being used to help turn turbines to generate electricity.

The salty brine solution left behind is returned to the ocean where it mixes with the surrounding water.

The company's water is inspected regularly by the Health Department, Mr.

Fetigan added.

Watlington, established in 1932, supplies water to Hamilton as well as several tourist areas on the Island.