Efforts on to improve Barbados’ water supply

Efforts are on to improve the quality, reliability and efficiency of
Barbados’ potable water supply, as well as its wastewater system. Just
yesterday, the Barbados Water Supply Infrastructure Rehabilitation
Project was launched at the Barbados Water Authority’s (BWA)
Bowmanston Pumping Station in St. John.

Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Wilfred Abrahams, noted that
the project, which is being financed by the European Investment Bank
(EIB) and CAF – the Development Bank of Latin America – to the tune of
over US$12 million, had some initial delays as it was several years in
the making, but it will now serve to aid the BWA in overcoming a
number of its challenges.

“The main objective of the project was developed through many
collaborative missions by CAF, the EIB and the Barbados Water
Authority from as far back as 2015, to reduce and control unaccounted
for water losses, which will be achieved through the rehabilitation
and optimization of existing storage, pumping and pipe work
infrastructure, as well as long-term planning to improve climate
change resilience and suitability over a four-year period,” Abrahams
explained.

“Under the Pre-investment Component, the development of a Master Plan
will facilitate the Government of Barbados in the provision of a
roadmap to determine the sustainability of the water and sanitation
sectors, which will take the changing climate conditions into account.
In the Investment Works Component, we will see the improvement of
reliability and quality of service for over 82,000 customers, as well
as upgraded working conditions for Barbados Water Authority staff,
associated with improvements to security and occupational safety,” he
added.

“All of this will be accomplished through the repair and
reconstruction of storage tanks and the provision of additional
equipment at reservoirs and pumping stations at 12 locations across
Barbados.

In order to address improved quality of delivery in both potable and
non-potable water areas, the project will introduce additional
upgrades to equipment at both wastewater treatment plants, as well as
the implementation of a turbidity control system here in Bowmanston,
which should also facilitate a direct reduction in the shutdowns
required during heavy rainfall events,” Minister Abrahams also
revealed.

It was also noted that in keeping with the country’s mandate to
achieve a greener economy, the project will further achieve a
reduction in the amount and intensity of greenhouse gas emissions,
through the installation of an electrical turbine to be powered by
natural gas, for one of the major potable water stations. The project
will also facilitate improved operating efficiencies and reductions in
non-revenue water, the replacement of 16 kilometres of mains in St.
John, St. George, St. Peter, St. Andrew and St. Lucy.

The final component, which addresses project management, will see
opportunities for locals to be involved in the implementation of the
project, as well as the opportunity for local and international
engineering firms to participate in detailed engineering designs of
the investment works, as well as the supervision of works during the
project’s execution. (RSM)