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Draft Final Report, 19 th July, 2012
Geothermal Development
The GoM is actively pursuing its stated goal to reduce the
island’s dependence on imported fossil fuel for its energy
needs through use of renewable energy sources, such as
geothermal and wind.
While there are encouraging indications that a geothermal
resource exists, this potential has yet to be proven.
Accordingly, in February 2012, the GoM announced that it was
inviting expressions of interests in the confirmation and
development of the potential geothermal resource in
Montserrat. According to the statement, interested developers
would be expected to finance the drilling phase to in order to
prove (or otherwise) the existence of an exploitable resource.
The successful drilling company would then earn the right to
install generating plant to meet current and likely future energy
demands. However, presumably because no satisfactory
offers were received, the UK Ministers agreed in April that that
UK public funds should be used for the exploratory drilling
phase for geothermal on Montserrat.
Other islands (for example, Dominica and Nevis) are also
exploring their geothermal energy potential both for domestic
use and export to neighbouring islands.
6.4.2 Water Supply
Due to the emphasis placed on the development of the water
resources by Government over the years, and the
implementation of several important water development
projects, MUL is in the favourable a position of being able
meet the demand for water in island.
The existing water supply is obtained from six surface springs
originating within the mountains. The water is collected at the
source and piped to reservoirs or storage tanks where, after
being chlorinated against harmful bacteria, it is then
distributed to customers throughout the water system. While
there have occasionally been some supply problems (thought
to be associated with volcanic ash temporarily blocking the
aquifer), the overall supply of spring water from the Centre
Hills is considered to be more than adequate to meet current
demands.
However, if tourism demands were to increase significantly,
some ‘water demand management measures’ could be
needed, and very large water-using establishments, including
tourism establishments, might need to have backup water
resources to cater for their needs in times of shortage.
6.4.3 Waste Management
Most houses, offices and public buildings use individual septic
tanks, with just the two main areas of Davy Hill and Lookout
being on communal systems. Sludge from the individual tanks
is collected and taken to sludge ponds near the landfill site at
Jack Boy Hill, where there can be some leakage. The
groundwater is at risk from uncontrolled disposal of solid
waste. There is also some evidence of pollution of the marine
environment caused by discharge of sewage from domestic
and commercial establishments, and of oil from visiting yachts
and ships.
There is a garbage collection service for solid waste which is
then taken to the landfill at Jack Boy Hill. However, there is
inadequate provision for recycling and no incinerator at the
landfill to burn inflammable items. The landfill currently does
not have enough cover material and is unsightly for users of
the Katy Hill trail network.
MONTSERRAT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2012 – 2022
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