The completion of a new reverse osmosis plant at Crabbes could be pushed from December to February because of a six-week delay in the delivery of critical equipment, Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas says.

The plant, which is expected to produce 1.6 million gallons of water daily, is the latest desalination facility being installed as the government seeks to increase water production and reduce the country’s vulnerability to drought.

Nicholas said some of the required materials are being shipped from Dubai, but disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have forced changes to shipping routes.

He said some cargo must now be transported overland, adding approximately six weeks to the delivery schedule.

“We were earmarked to complete that work in December,” Nicholas said Tuesday night on the government’s “Taking Stock” radio programme.

He added that the delay was “not fatal” to the project but acknowledged that it could prevent the government from meeting its original completion target.

“Whereas I promised the Cabinet that we could deliver the 1.6 million gallons in December, it may push us back a little bit towards February,” Nicholas said.

The delay comes as Antigua continues to experience drought conditions that have reduced national water production by about two million gallons per day.

APUA is currently producing approximately nine million gallons daily, primarily through reverse osmosis plants, after losing much of its surface and groundwater supply.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: New Crabbes Reverse Osmosis Plant Faces Six-Week Shipping Delay.