By the Caribbean Journal staff

Nevis has launched the first phase of an $11.1 million Caribbean Development Bank-funded project aimed at building a 500,000-gallon reservoir.

Phase 1 of the Nevis Water Enhancement Project began last week in Spring Hill.

The reservoir is one of several for construction on the island, along with two pumping stations. All will be built under the CDB-funded project.

“We are here at Spring Hill, a site for one of the six reservoirs that will be built under the project,” said Project Manager George Morris.

The other sites would include Camps, Maddens, Fothergills, Stoney Hill and Morgan Estate.

“We are preparing the site for the reservoir, which is going to be of glass fuse similar to the one that is presently on the site here,” Morris said.

The entire project is set to be completed in 2013.

Upon completion, the new reservoir would provide a three-and-a-half day water supply to the areas of Fountain, Westbury, Cliff Dwellers, Jessups and Four Seasons.

“The reservoirs will be a turn-key project where whoever wins the contract will come and build the reservoir and hand over to the Water Department,” he said.

Advance work on the project is being undertaken with help from engineers from Nevis’ Public Works Department.