The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) outlined key parts of its $200m capital works plan with major works around the country.

The WSC told Tribune Business that over the next few years they will “unleash the largest, most strategic and comprehensive Capital Development Plan in the corporation’s history".

Some 80-plus projects totaling some $200m have been identified throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas.

Bacchus Rolle, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works, said: “From the day to day work here and what’s happening at the WSC, there are a number of islands where work we expect to progress in Cat Island, Long Island, Eleuthera definitely and there’s a project in Abaco and of course in MICAL.

“So definitely there are any number of islands where the $200m will be spent and put to good use for the growth of the Bahamian people.”

The WSC sent Tribune Business a detailed list of these projects by email where they said for Abaco and Sweetings Cay, Grand Bahama post Dorian Works, the WSC has signed over $5.8m in contracts since September 2021 to complete post-Dorian works in the Abacos and Sweetings Cay, Grand Bahama.

“These include: A complete rehabilitation of the Treasure Cay and Spring City Abaco sewerage systems; significant water distribution system improvements for Central Pines and Eastern Shores, Central Abaco; supply and installation of climate resilient standby power generators at all corporation sites; change Orders to support the completion of the new Grand Cay Storage Tank; Central Abaco Road Repairs; major improvements to water storage facilities and desalination plant production capacity and reliability improvements at Moores Island, Abaco and Sweetings Cay, Grand Bahama; and completion and start up of the Marsh Harbour water pumping station and solar facility. This 336KW solar facility is the corporation's largest alternative energy operation.”

There will also be works done in Eleuthera as the WSC continues to address water production, storage, supply, transmission and distribution infrastructure challenges on the island.

“Since September 2021, the corporation has commenced works in excess of $6.9m to improve these systems including: Substantial increases in water storage capacity for Central Eleuthera (Naval Base), North Eleuthera (the Bogue) and Harbour Island; extension of water mains on Russell Island; planned major repairs to the Spanish Wells Storage Tank; new standby generation for the Tarpum Bay distribution station and the Current Island Desalination Plant.

"In addition to these works, the corporation is presently in strategic negotiations with the cesalination contractor Aqua-Design for its Waterford, Tarpum Bay, Central Eleuthera (Naval Base) and North Eleuthera (Bogue) desalination plants and further public announcements will be made in due course. The government is cognizant and has mandated that the corporation complete strategic improvements to its contractual arrangements to ensure a consistent, reliable water supply network is in place to support the tremendous growth the island of Eleuthera is presently experiencing."

The government is also said to be finalising arrangements for a public-private partnership to tackle water transmission and distribution systems ahead of road paving works, stretching from Hatchet Bay to South Eleuthera. Planning is said to be in the "very advanced stages".

In the Exumas, the WSC yesterday held a contract signing ceremony for contracts totaling $9.1m to two contractors to carry out extensive water transmission and distribution system extensions and improvements on mainland Exuma ahead of road paving (see story on page one).

WSC added: “In conjunction with these works and to secure a more consistent, reliable water supply, the Georgetown desalination plant’s production capacity was increased earlier this year from 330,000 imperial gallons per day to 450,000 imperial gallons per day to better serve the residents of eastern Exuma. Likewise, the corporation is making arrangements to put in place additional storage, pumping capacity and standby power generation to improve the reliability of its supply for western Exuma. These works for western Exuma will include the removal of the damaged storage tank at Steventon.

“In the Exuma Cays, works have been completed to improve storage capacity on Staniel Cay and distribution system extensions are being planned for Black Point. Also, new standby generators have been installed on Staniel Cay and Farmers Cay.

“The corporation will also be working with local and international stakeholders, to support the refurbishment of the Exuma wastewater treatment plant, and improve the collection of wastewater within the Exuma Harbour.”

For Cat Island, the “WSC has worked very closely with the Ministry of Public Works and Utilities and the Ministry of Finance to conclude a public private partnership agreement for extensive water transmission, distribution and road paving works for all of Cat Island. The scope of works includes almost 95 miles of new water mains to serve approximately 1,000 residents and businesses on the island at a cost in excess of $30m. This represents the largest single infrastructure project on any single Family Island in the history of the corporation.

“Road verge clearing works have commenced and it is anticipated the the contractor's initial materials will arrive on island during August 2023 and works will commence soon thereafter.

“To provide the potable water supply for this project, the corporation is in the final stages of awarding a contract for the supply, installation, commissioning and operations of two desalination facilities – one at Bennett’s Harbour to serve northern Cat Island and one at New Bight to serve southern Cat Island.

“At the conclusion of this project, we expect that every single home and business in Cat Island will have a world class, consistent, reliable piped water supply.”

For San Salvador, the WSC had the “Cockburn Town Desalination Plant’s production capacity increased from 90,000 imperial gallons per day to 120,000 imperial gallons per day in late 2022 to ensure adequate water supply for all residents, businesses and the recently re-opened Club Med Resort. Additionally, works are being planned at a cost of $160,000 to repair the existing storage tank and other distribution system improvements are in progress.”

For Long Island, again arrangements are being made for a public-private partnership to improve water transmission and distribution systems ahead of road paving. In preparation for these works, WSC is working to increase the desalination production capacity at its Simms desalination plant and is reviewing the system demands at its Deadman’s Cay facility.

The statement also said that for Andros, it is soon to invite tenders as part of its current Caribbean Development Bank Water Supply Improvement Phase I Project for the replacement of the entire water distribution system on Mangrove Cay and extensions to new areas.

WSC is also reviewing its Kemp’s Bay desalination plant to determine what improvements are required to better serve residents from Kemp’s Bay to Mars Bay.

WSC added: “Also, new standby generators have been installed to improve the reliability of our supply to the communities of Stafford Creek, Staniard Creek, Cargill Creek, Fresh Creek, and Mangrove Cay.”

For Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay, new standby generators have been installed, while the Colonel Hill desalination facility on Crooked Island was commissioned last summer to serve residents of Colonel Hill, Cabbage Hill and Church Grove.

WSC said: “The corporation is actively addressing the need for a desalination facility for North Acklins and we wish to assure the residents of Lovely Bay and Chesters that their days of challenges with the current groundwater system which is increasingly brackish will be addressed shortly.”

For New Providence, a $19.1m contract extension was signed with MIYA Bahamas Ltd covering January 2023 to December 2026 where there will be a focus on building capacity with a target of “non revenue water target of 1.5m imperial gallons per day by the end of 2026”.

There will also be sewerage improvements for New Providence with a $1.8m contract finalised with Island Site Development to complete upgrades and the Malcolm Park facility. Contract negotiations to complete the Gladstone Road wastewater facility are in the final stages. “A contract for approximately $100,000 has been awarded to carry out urgent rehabilitation works at our Coral Vista wastewater treatment plant,” said WSC.

The statement added: “The WSC has commenced a project to increase the sustainable resiliency and capacity of our Windsor Wellfields. The project revolves around a strategy of utilising a green climate approach to provide an environmentally friendly source of affordable, quality potable water. Accordingly, the project encompasses the cleaning and rehabilitation of thousands of feet of groundwater trenches to protect, and to improve the safe yield of this natural resource. This pilot program will eventually be extended through-out the family islands, wherever water reserves are in active use.”

It added that ongoing discussions with international financing agencies for major capital works funding for the WSC are ongoing. WSC said: “To address the funding required to provide world class water and sanitation services across our beautiful archipelago, the corporation, with the support of the government is actively pursuing: A $25m to $30m Bahamas Water Supply Improvement Phase II loan facility with the CDB; A $49.7m facility with the Green Climate Fund to improve the climate resiliency of the water sector and to create the enabling environment to promote broader sector transformation to safeguard water security; and a major loan facility with the Inter- American Bank to support the Action Plan arising from the Corporate Business Plan.”