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Tender description :
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Prequalification: Request for Expression of Interest: Technical and E&s Consultants for Saint Lucias Water Sector
Project BackgroundSaint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean Island nation with 180;000 people. The country faces threats to water security: (i) High non-revenue water (NRW); (ii) freshwater resources are decreasing; and (iii) wastewater and sanitation infrastructure is inadequate. These problems affect the coastal environment; on which most of its productive activities rely. In 2020; the Government of Saint Lucia (GoSL) declared a water emergency due to severe drought and water shortages; with some areas in the north of the island experiencing prolonged interruptions.Scarce Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) investment results in insufficient and aging infrastructure; due to poor institutional and financing capacity thereby reducing WSS service delivery quality. Saint Lucia’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to climate change; including sea level rise; saltwater intrusion in aquifers; reduced rainfall; increased evaporation due to higher temperatures; and prolonged droughts. These factors pose challenges for utility service providers in delivering adequate water volumes; managing wastewater systems efficiently; and maintaining assets.Saint Lucia's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) outlines commitments to enhance and provide support to the eight key sectors identified in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) including water. The NAP prioritizes: (i) the restoration of watersheds; which are vital to improving water availability; reducing flood risks; (ii) investing in climate-resilient water infrastructure including increasing storage capacity and rainwater harvesting systems; and (iii) improving the efficiency of distribution networks; as key actions. These measures aim to address water shortages during droughts and flooding during heavy rainfall. In terms of decarbonization; the NDC set commitments to reduce GHG emissions by 14.7% by 2030 and 22% by 2035; and Saint Lucia’s NAP and the Sectoral Adaptation Strategy and Action Plans include mitigation benefits in the water sector; including emissions reductions from wastewater management and introduction of renewable energy technologies in the water sector.The public water company; Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO); performs poorly. Non-revenue water (NRW) is estimated at 47%. Water supply is unreliable; sewerage coverage is low; financial performance is poor and capital investment levels are low. In the dry season there are water shortages; in part because John Compton Dam; the main freshwater reservoir; suffers from siltation; reducing its storage capacity; and limited recharge due to climate change.Saint Lucia has only one wastewater treatment plant that covers 30% of effluent from the capital; Castries. Untreated wastewater is otherwise discharged into the sea. Some wastewater leaches into the ground through septic tanks. Untreated effluent harms coastal and marine ecosystems; which provide climate risk modulation services which impact sources of jobs and economic activities; such as tourism and fisheries.To address these challenges; GoSL has expressed interest in launching a turn around of WASCO; with the objective of improving WSS services efficiency and increasing the country’s water security. To achieve these objectives; the Government intends to leverage public and non-public financial resources and mobilize private sector participation.The Project aims to help GoSL improve WASCO's performance. It focuses on improving NRW management; enhanced water supply service; expanded sewerage coverage; thereby improving financial performance; and increasing capital investment. This will include upgrading the existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP); building a new climate-smart WWTP in Castries and the implementation of other investments; in the form of building new infrastructure or rehabilitating the existing one; as deemed necessary as a result of the analyses carried out within the scope of this assignment.The objective of the Project is to support the GoSL in selecting; through a competitive tender process; a private operator to manage; maintain; rehabilitate; and finance WASCO's water and sewage system; including the construction of potential new infrastructure to address network needs. The public-private partnership (PPP) contract will be structured with climate change; environmental and social considerations.Expected mobilization is up to US$ 200 million in initial capital investment although part of this may be covered through Viability Gap Funding/a Hybrid PPP approach; potentially financed by IBRD; to ensure the project’s viability and attractiveness to potential investors. This will expand capacity and improve service access and quality for Saint Lucians. Mobilization figures are indicative and will be confirmed during Phase 1 of this assignment.Key FiguresLand area: 616 square kilometresClimate: Tropical climate (21°C to 32°C) with dry season from December to May and wet season from June to November.Population Served: 172;000Deployable
issue Date and Time: Feb 25,2026 05:52
closing Date and Time: Mar 25,2026 22:59
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