cawasa inc. e-source magazine july - september 2015 | caribbean water and sewerage association

In thIs Issue

July-September 2015Caribbean Water and Sewage Association Inc.

Water in the 23 Agenda for Sustainable Development Page 2 CAWASA Secretariat News Page 3 Troubled Water! Page 7 Water is Indeed Life! 1

BNTF Funds Saint Lucia Water Page 11 GIZ Assists NAWASA Page 12 Caribbean Braces for Possible Worst Drought Ever! Page 13 CAWASA Congratulates New Guyana Water CEO Page 13

Caribbean Water Operators provide absolutely essential services across the region. But they are so down-to-earth and close to the ground that they often go un-noticed. Remembered mainly in cases of emergency, they fix the nation’s water problems so quickly and efficiently. They come and go in communities affected by water problems and quickly fix pipes and fittings to restore the flow of this important source, without any waste of time – or water. The region’s water operators are accustomed to going hardly noticed. But they were recently again reminded of their prime place in the water sector – at the very top. CAWASA Executive Director Ignatius Jean told them at a recent Caribbean Water Operators at the CAWASA Water Operators Conference in Grenada that they are as important as Hy-drogen and Oxygen in the region’s water equation (See Page 5). Indeed, Dominica benefitted from emergency support from restoration services provided by local and regional water operators, including teams sent from Antigua and Barbuda (See Page 3) and Trinidad and Tobago (Story on Page 13). Similarly, in the quarter under review in this issue, the region’s water operators reviewed the main challenges and prospects for water across the region and expressed optimism about their achievements in 2015 during their August meeting at Key Biscayne (Stories on Pages 4 and 5). In photo above, a water operator from Antigua and Barbuda’s Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) takes a break for a snapshot while helping restore water to Dominica following the havoc wreaked on the island’s water system by Tropical Storm Erika. Now, water services have been largely restored, with clean water flowing through most taps once again!

Caribbean Water Operators:They Maketh Water!

e-Source July-September 2015

Unit # 15, Orange Park Commercial Centre, Bois d’Orange, Gros Islet, St Lucia (Box RB 2293, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, St Lucia)

Tel: 758 458 0601; 758 458 0191; E-mail: [email protected]

Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association Inc. (CAWASA Inc)

Wastewater Operations and Maintenance

Workshop

October 27-31, 2015 Maria’s-by-the-Sea Hotel, Tortola, BVI

Facilitator – Eng. Alphonsus Daniel

Workshop objectives

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

Understand basic hydraulics related to open flow channel as it relates to sewers not flowing full;

Read and interpret the basic design of wastewater treatment plants; Understand the sources of wastewater generation, types and quality wastewater; Differentiate between different types of wastewater treatment plant; Undertake the operations and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants; Assume responsibilities of wastewater operators to implement health and safety measures,

laboratory analysis and effluent quality; Appreciate the Do’s and Don’ts during operations and maintenance of treatment plant and

sewerage.

Target Group

The workshop is targeted at Operations and Maintenance personnel attached to the water and wastewater utilities and other related sectors.

The Head of Programme of the GIZ- funded Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions Project (CATS) Dr. Horst Vogel has announced an intra-regional pilot project being implemented by the North-East Farmers’ Organization (NEFO) in Grenada and staff from Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture which has com-menced in the New Hampshire area of Grenada. The project is about improving pig farming in the hin-terland of the ‘Molinière-Beauséjour Marine Protected Area’ (MPA) by introducing simple but effective biogas digesters.

Mr. Quint Odlum of the Engineering Department of the Ministry of Agriculture in Saint Lucia, super-vised the installation of an initial two biogas digesters and trained the pig farmers and other NEFO farmers in the operation and maintenance of the digesters. Thaddeus Constantin of the Research Department of the Ministry of Agriculture in Saint Lucia, trained NEFO farmers in natural pest control and the production of natural fertilizers made from farm products. Both measures combined will help to reduce the drainage of nutrients and other chemicals into water that flows into the Molinière-Beauséjour MPA. The digestate pro-duced is an ideal source of agricultural fertilizer, while the biogas produced is renewable energy. Of equal interest is a related approach of rustic sewage purification. Dr. Detlef Schwager from a related GIZ-Funded Project called ‘AquaVerde’ and based in Grenada has advised about the French ‘Alistep’ concept that uses filters planted with reeds. The concept requires no power supply and is ideal for rural communities.

For further information please contact: Horst Michael Vogel Ph.D.: [email protected] Head of Pro-gramme (PGL), Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS)

Vol. IX: Issue 9 September 2015 Page 4

Anaerobic Digester Pilot Project

Clean water, agricultural fertilizer and renewable energy

The Head of Programme of the GIZ- funded Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions Project (CATS) Dr. Horst Vogel has announced an intra-regional pilot project being implemented by the North-East Farmers’ Organization (NEFO) in Grenada and staff from Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture which has commenced in the New Hampshire area of Grenada. The project is about improving pig farming in the hinterland of the ‘Molinière-Beauséjour Marine Protected Area’ (MPA) by introducing simple but effective biogas digesters.

Inflatable plastic bag digester Photos: Eva Näher (GIZ) Pig sty and adjacent biogas digester shed

Mr. Quint Odlum of the Engineering Department of the Ministry of Agriculture in Saint Lucia, supervised the installation of an initial two biogas digesters and trained the pig farmers and other NEFO farmers in the operation and maintenance of the digesters. Thaddeus Constantin of the Research Department of the Ministry of Agriculture in Saint Lucia, trained NEFO farmers in natural pest control and the production of natural fertilizers made from farm products. Both measures combined will help to reduce the drainage of nutrients and other chemicals into water that flows into the Molinière-Beauséjour MPA. The digestate produced is an ideal source of agricultural fertilizer, while the biogas produced is renewable energy. Of equal interest is a related approach of rustic sewage purification. Dr. Detlef Schwager from a related GIZ-Funded Project called ‘AquaVerde’ and based in Grenada has advised about the French ‘Alistep’ concept that uses filters planted with reeds. The concept requires no power supply and is ideal for rural communities. For further information please contact:

Horst Michael Vogel Ph.D.: [email protected] Head of Programme (PGL), Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS)


Anaerobic Digester Pilot Project

Clean water, agricultural fertilizer and renewable energy

The Head of Programme of the GIZ- funded Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions Project (CATS) Dr. Horst Vogel has announced an intra-regional pilot project being implemented by the North-East Farmers’ Organization (NEFO) in Grenada and staff from Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture which has commenced in the New Hampshire area of Grenada. The project is about improving pig farming in the hinterland of the ‘Molinière-Beauséjour Marine Protected Area’ (MPA) by introducing simple but effective biogas digesters.

Inflatable plastic bag digester Photos: Eva Näher (GIZ) Pig sty and adjacent biogas digester shed

Mr. Quint Odlum of the Engineering Department of the Ministry of Agriculture in Saint Lucia, supervised the installation of an initial two biogas digesters and trained the pig farmers and other NEFO farmers in the operation and maintenance of the digesters. Thaddeus Constantin of the Research Department of the Ministry of Agriculture in Saint Lucia, trained NEFO farmers in natural pest control and the production of natural fertilizers made from farm products. Both measures combined will help to reduce the drainage of nutrients and other chemicals into water that flows into the Molinière-Beauséjour MPA. The digestate produced is an ideal source of agricultural fertilizer, while the biogas produced is renewable energy. Of equal interest is a related approach of rustic sewage purification. Dr. Detlef Schwager from a related GIZ-Funded Project called ‘AquaVerde’ and based in Grenada has advised about the French ‘Alistep’ concept that uses filters planted with reeds. The concept requires no power supply and is ideal for rural communities. For further information please contact:

Horst Michael Vogel Ph.D.: [email protected] Head of Programme (PGL), Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS)

Inflatable plastic bag digester Pig sty and adjacent biogas digester shed

Anaerobic Digester Pilot Project CLEAN WATER, AGRICULTURAL FERTILIZER

AND RENEWABLE ENERGY!

Unit # 15, Orange Park Commercial Centre, Bois d’Orange, Gros Islet, St Lucia (Box RB 2293, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, St Lucia)

Tel: 758 458 0601; 758 458 0191; E-mail: [email protected]

Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association Inc. (CAWASA Inc)

Wastewater Operations and Maintenance

Workshop

October 27-31, 2015 Maria’s-by-the-Sea Hotel, Tortola, BVI

Facilitator – Eng. Alphonsus Daniel

Workshop objectives

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

Understand basic hydraulics related to open flow channel as it relates to sewers not flowing full;

Read and interpret the basic design of wastewater treatment plants; Understand the sources of wastewater generation, types and quality wastewater; Differentiate between different types of wastewater treatment plant; Undertake the operations and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants; Assume responsibilities of wastewater operators to implement health and safety measures,

laboratory analysis and effluent quality; Appreciate the Do’s and Don’ts during operations and maintenance of treatment plant and

sewerage.

Target Group


In September 2015, heads of state from all around the world gathered in New York to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop-ment, an ambitious “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity”, with 17 Sustainable De-velopment Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, aiming to nothing less than “transforming our world”.

Building on the UN Millennium Declaration and its eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (2000-2015), the 2030 Agenda expands the MDG focus on poverty reduction to now cover all aspects of sustainable development in all countries of the world, calling for peace and partnership, and the need to leave no one be-hind.

The SDGs covers a wide range of drivers across the three pillars of sustainable development, and include a dedicated goal on water and sanitation (SDG 6) that sets out to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. SDG 6 expands the MDG focus on drink-ing water and basic sanitation to now cover the entire water cycle, including the management of water, wastewater and ecosystem resources.

With water at the very core of sustainable de-velopment, SDG 6 does not only have strong linkages to all of the other SDGs, but also the ability to underpin them: realising SDG 6 would in fact go a long way towards achieving much of the 2030 Agenda.

SDG 6 contains six targets on outcomes across the entire water cycle, and two targets on the means of implementing the outcome targets: • Targets 6.1 and 6.2 build on the MDG targets

on drinking water and basic sanitation, pro-viding continuity while expanding their scope and refining definitions.

• Targets 6.3 to 6.6 address the broader water context that was not explicitly included in the MDG framework, but whose importance was acknowledged at the Rio+20 Conference, such as water quality and wastewater management, water scarcity and use efficiency, integrated wa-ter resources management, and the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems.

• Targets 6.a and 6.b acknowledge the impor-tance of an enabling environment, addressing the means of implementation and aiming for international cooperation, capacity-building and the participation of local communities in water and sanitation management.

Learn more about water’s role in the 2030 Agenda and UN-Water’s involvement in the process: advice to the Member State-led Open Working Group on SDGs, suggestion of in-dicators for global monitoring of SDG 6 and themeans of implementation for SDG 6 (More from UN Water on Pages 5 to 8)

WATERIN THE 2030 AGENDA

FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

CAWASA Secretariat Newse-Source July-September 2015

CAWASA member-utility assists country and colleagues in need

APUA team helping restore water to Dominica

CAWASA member utilities all expressed sympathy and condolences to all of Dominica following the recent passage of Tropical Storm Erika. The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) was among those that first offered immediate support to Dominica's post Erika rehabilitation programme. A five-man APUA Team spent one week with fellow colleagues from the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWAS-CO) assisting in addressing the many problems for water caused by the tropical storm that touched every community in the country.

Fifty-one candidates sat the regular water opera-tor exams sponsored by CAWASA during the peri-od August to September 2015 and the organization is pleased that a pass rate of 61% was recorded.

Congratulations to all candidates and to the two operators who reached the highest level – Level IV - in Water Treatment.

The major achievers are: Terry Benjamin from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) of Antigua & Barbuda and David Gabriel of the Na-tional Water & Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) in Grenada.

51 passed Water Operator

exams in August and September

Antigua and Grenada top the scales

Saint Lucia continues to experience occasional cases of poisoning of water in search of exotic river fish and crayfish, eels and other species. That’s the suspicion of water authorities following the forced closure of the water plant for the village of Micoud and surrounding areas on the island’s East Coast.

The island’s Water and Sewerage Company (WAS-CO) was recently forced to close down the water supply and engage in emergency cleansing after dead fish and other species were found in the vil-lage’s main water source.

WASCO undertook emergency cleaning and resto-ration and then informed residents that their water supply had been fully restored.

The company says the restoration of clean and safe drinking water followed elaborate cleaning and flushing of the treatment plant, reinstatement of the fish-monitoring pond and fish and monitoring of the fish in the pond.

There was also continuous testing of the raw and treated water, to ensure all the necessary indicators were met before distributing the water to consumers.

WASCO is assuring the residents of Micoud and environs that it will continue to monitor the water supply closely to ensure the supply remains safe.

But the company also issued a strong warning ahead of Jounen Kweyol, which is observed annu-ally at the end of October.

WASCO reminded the public that use of any poi-sonous substances to harvest fish and crayfish for sale, is a very dangerous practice.

According to the national water company, poison-ing rivers to catch fish, crayfish and other exotic river species compromises the supply of water and threat-ens the lives of people -- and it should be stopped.

WASCO also issued a strong call on anyone with any information relating to such dangerous prac-tices to report it to the Police, the Saint Lucia Water Resource Management Agency, the Environmental Health Department, or directly to WASCO.

WASCO warns against poisoning rivers in search of exotic species

The APUA delegation included Mr. Devon Payne (Assistant Supervisor), Mr. Tyrone Colbourne (Plumber), Mr. Danroy Martin (Plumber), Mr. Kory Martin (Plumber Grade) and Mr. Lennox Joseph (Laboratory Technician).

The APUA team members (left and right) participated in much hard work to ensure water could have been delivered to the neighborhoods of Dominica that had been left dry after the tropical storm.

Operations of WOP’s Secretariat Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities

‐ Assess knowledge and skills needs ‐ Maintain database ‐ Review utility Request ‐ Draft Twinning/exchange Request ‐ Process work Plan/budget ‐ Determine Resource Capacity ‐ Submit Request to WOP Secretariat ‐ Prepare Work Plan/Budget ‐ Draft preliminary Offer ‐ Assign staff to handle WOP activities ‐ Identify source of Funding ‐ Submit offer to WOP ‐ Prepare report on progress ‐ Draft MOU ‐ Sign MOU ‐ Sign MOU ‐ Monitor and evaluate progress ‐ Implement MOU

‐ Prepare Reports ‐ Prepare/Submit Report ‐ Facilitate Review meetings

CAWASA

Secretariat

CWWA

Secretariat

Assisting Utility

Req

uesting Utility

PRELIMINARY OFFER

SUBMITS REQUEST

SUBMITS TWINNING/EXCHANGE

PROPOSAL

PRELIMINARY OFFER

WOP

Secretariat

Liaison

ACCEPTANCE OFFER

SIGNED MOU SIGNED MOU

SUBMIT MOU

The third formal regional meeting of the Caribbean Water Operators Partnerships (Cari-WOP) Steering Committee was held during the CWWA Conference 2015 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Biscayne Bay in the City of Miami on August 25, 2015.

The meeting recognized the significant activities of the Cari-WOP for 2015 particularly the initiation of the WOP with DINEPA in Haiti; expressed opti-mism for growth of the WOP through support of the Florida South branch of the AWWA and acknowledged the representatives of the South Florida Branch of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Mr. Mark Lehigh, the new Executive Director of the CWWA, Ms. Patricia Aquing, and the new Executive Director of the Global Water Partnerships – Caribbean (GWP-C), Ms. Patricia Shako). The meeting also discussed the participation of CariWOP at the Third Global WOPs Congress in Barcelona, Spain, September 16-18, 2015.

At that forum, it was expected that a report would be tabled on regional activi-ties such as the WOP (Water Operators Partnership) between the Belize Water Services Limited and the Contra Costa Utility of California; Syndicat Intercom-munal du Centre et du Sud de la Martinique (SICSM) and the Water and Sewer-age Company Inc. (WASCO) of Saint Lucia; and Cari-WOP and DINEPA.

In attendance at the Miami meeting were: Mr. Cyprian Gibson, Engineer, BWSC/CWWA, Dr. Jose Luis Martin-Bordes, Programme Officer, GWOPA/

UN-Habitat, Mr. Jason Johnson, President, CWWA, Mr. Alphonsus Daniel, Vice President, CWWA, Mr. Ivan Rodriquez, director CWWA and CAWASA, Mr. Bernard Ettinoffe, General Manager, DOWASCO/ President, CAWASA, Mr. Ignatius Jean, Executive Director, CAWASA, Mr. Christopher Husbands, General Manager, NAWASA/VP, CAWASA, Ms. Patricia Aquing, Executive Director, CWWA, Mr. Dave Pascascio, Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), Dr. Horst Vogel – GIZ (CATS), Mr. Mark Lehigh, FSAWWA, Dr. Mauricio Par-don, PAHO Senior Advisor, Water and Sanitation, Mme. Nadege Augustin, DINEPA, Mr. Yvon Mellinger, IDB, Barbados, Dr. Natalie Boodram, Global Water Partnership – Caribbean (GWP-C), Ms. Patricia Shako – Executive Di-rector, GWP-C.

The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) is a UN-Habitat program that operates as a network of partners, committed to helping water operators help one another improve their capacity in providing access to water and sanitation services for all.

The GWOPA program was established following the “Hashimoto Action Plan” launched in Mexico in March 2006 by the UN Secretary General’s Ad-visory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB), after which the former UN Secretary General requested UN-Habitat to establish this global mechanism to promote not-for-profit peer support arrangements between water utilities, so-called Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs).

Noting that much of the responsibility in meeting the water and sanitation-related MDGs and future SDGs fell to water operators, UNSGAB recommended the scaled-up use of WOPs to help develop their capacity to sustainably deliver safe water and sound sanitation services.

The CariWOP is the Caribbean Chapter of the Water Operators’ Partnerships of Latin America and the Caribbean (WOPLAC) affiliated to the GWOPA. The CWWA and the CAWASA are the Joint Secretariat of the CariWOP.

CariWOP optimistic about 2015

Caribbean

Legend: CAWASA: Caribbean Water & Sewerage Association Inc. CWWA: Caribbean Water & Wastewater Association WOP: Water Operators Partnership

July-September 2015


HIGHLIGHTS FROM CAWASA WATER OPERATORS CONFERENCE 2015 Mr Gregory Bowen, Minister for Communications & Works, Physical

Development, Public Utilities, Information/Communication & Technology addressing the participants

Highlights—Water Operators Conference 2015, Grenada

Highlights of the Water Operators Competition—25-26 June 2015, Grenada


HIGHLIGHTS FROM CAWASA WATER OPERATORS CONFERENCE 2015 Highlights of the Water Operators Competition—25-26 June 2015, Grenada - continued

Prize Giving CeremonyFirst PrizeGrenada Team

Second PrizeSt Vincent & the Grena-dines /Antigua Team

Third PrizeMontserrat-St Lucia Team


On August 23rd and 24th, 2015, over 40 participants from 14 countries gathered in Miami, Florida for a training workshop entitled: “Building a Climate-Resilient Water Sector in the Caribbean: Strategies for Water Utilities”.

The workshop was held in the days prior to the opening of Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association’s (CWWA) annual conference and was sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

A planning committee consisting of the IDB, CDB, CAWASA, CWWA and the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) created the program with the support of an IDB consultant .

Participants and presenters came from all the Caribbean utilities and region-al institutions such as: the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), UWI CERMES, water resource management agencies, water commis-sions, United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) CReW, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and the Caribbean Water Science Center of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), CAWASA, CWWA, IDB, CDB, GWO-PA, Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the USA.

The primary objective of this event was to enable utility operators to create con-crete action plans to strengthen their water source protection measures and over-all resilience in the face of Climate Change.

The main sources of water in the Caribbean are:• Groundwater 52.5% (Barbados 83%, Guyana 90%, Jamaica 84%)• Surface Water 35.8% (Dominica 100%, Grenada 100%, Saint Lucia 100%, St.

Vincent and the Grenadines 86%)• Rain Water Harvesting 0.1%• Desalination 11.6% (Anguilla 100%, Antigua & Barbuda 66%, Barbados 20.6%, The

Bahamas 100%, Belize 61%, Turks and Caicos, 100%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.7%)• Total Production: 2810 Million Litres per Day

Some of the key recommendations of the workshop were :1. Water operators are front-line guardians of public health and guarantors of

the UN ratified right to water and sanitation. Adequate support to the public water sector will safeguard public health and respect for human rights.

2. A first action in strengthening resiliency is reducing losses in existing infrastruc-ture. Capital is urgently needed for this purpose. In some countries, physical losses are 60%. Reducing these losses will decrease the need to tap new water sources. Likewise, conservation measures, implemented with the political back-ing of the highest level of government, are essential to control water demand.

3. Good data, for example credible maps and real-time monitoring systems of surface and ground water sources, is critical for effective water man-

agement, just as utilities may not have expertise and resources to obtain analyze this data. Collaboration is essential. This data must be intelligible to front-line water sectors workers as well as to affected communities and ought to be widely communicated through traditional and social media.

4. Local communities ought to be enlisted as essential allies in protecting water resources. Sustainable water management is not likely to occur without them. Every effort must be made to educate consumers and communities and in-volve them in managing their water resources. Creative communications and messaging is necessary, encouraging school children and communities to learn and take action, including advocating with politicians on this issue.

5. Because healthy and sufficient water is essential for all sectors of society, new governance arrangements to manage water and land resources are essential. Water utilities, as guarantors of the potable water supply, have a special in-terest in protecting water resources and should play a leading role. But they cannot do it alone. Effective protection means that water utility must collabo-rate with regulators, ministries as varied as forestry, agriculture, mining, com-merce, energy and with local governments and civil society organizations. Support for inter-institutional collaboration, alliances coordination is essential, which may require legal reform.

6. There is much knowledge and experience about resiliency and source water protection within water utilities just as there are significant capacity gaps. It is a new area for many companies. Caribbean water operators can help solve problems and build capacity by sharing their knowledge with their peers and by playing a mentor role to one another. Supporting a vibrant learning com-munity, including twinning relationships to exchange knowledge and experi-ence e both within and outside of the Caribbean region, should be a high prior-ity. Other mechanisms, such as virtual learning, should be explored to support ongoing learning on this topic.

7. Watersheds are frequently contaminated with untreated sewage and climate change related disasters can turn into public health disasters through flooding with untreated sewage.

Resiliency and disaster mitigation is accomplished not only by source water pro-tection but through enhanced sewage treatment as well – investment in proper sanitation is essential._________________________________________________________________________________

1 Workshop Report: “Building a Climate Resilient Water Sector in the Caribbean: Strat-egies for Water Utilities”, Daniel Moss, IDB Consultant, August 2015. 2 Workshop Report: “Building a Climate Resilient Water Sector in the Caribbean: Strat-egies for Water Utilities”, Daniel Moss, IDB Consultant, August 2015.

40 from 14 countries attended CariWOP’s Pre-conference Miami workshop for

Climate-resilient Caribbean Water Sector!

I would take the liberty, scientific license, if you will, to say the third thing that makes water is The Water Operator!!! It is the operator who ensures that our water utilities fulfil their ultimate goal of de-livering an adequate and safe supply of drinking water for all.

‘Improving Operator Efficiency and Adapting to Climate Change!’

Following is the full text of the remarks by CAWASA Executive Director Ignatius jean at the Caribbean water Operators Conference in Grenada – June 25, 2015.

I have the honour and privilege to address you in this, our fourth Caribbean Water Operators Conference. This is my first. This conference is firmly established as a major biennial event in the water sector’s calendar.

The Conference aim is to: • Update the knowledge and skills of water

and wastewater operators through interaction with fellow operators

• Provide the opportunity to access, view and share the latest ideas in technical equipment, technology, products and services with sup-pliers

• Provide operators with the opportunity to share their experiences in preparing for seat-ing the Operators Certification Examinations

• Provide the operators an opportunity to showcase their presentation skills through Professional presentations and competitive activities

• Provide the operators an opportunity to show-case their technical skills through the Opera-tors Competition

We have adopted the theme: “Operator Ef-ficiency: Adapting to Climate Change”. Dis-cussions on Climate Change are happening all around us.

In the recent past, our region has been impacted by several extreme weather events which have brought severe hardship on our water utilities. This has called for action to reduce and mitigate those risks.

The success of these programmes depends on

the competence of the people within our utilities. That is to say: the third “H” in the H2O – the Operator.

We believe that the operators must be brought into the mainstream discussion on Climate Change and to share their perspectives.

You, the Operators, are the ones who are in the field, who have the knowledge of the realities in the water catchments, streams, wells, dams, etc.

Ultimately, the process of adapting to Climate Change begins with you.We, therefore, would like to thank the OECS/RRACC Project and the CAR-

PHA for joining us to share with you some of the issues and perspectives on Climate Change.

We are also very happy and fortunate to have with us a distinguished Water Leader, former Director of CAWASA, former General Manager of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Daniel Cummings, who will share his perspectives and experiences.

The plenary sessions will include topics such as ‘Managing non-revenue water (water loss reduction)’, ‘Water treatment’, ‘waste water operations and maintenance’, ‘disaster and emergency management’, ‘operator certification’ and ‘capacity development’.

We also wish to acknowledge some of the presenters: Engineer Adrian Theo-balds, Mr. Irwin Gill, Sebastien Bojarski of VAG, Mr David Benny, Mr. Carl Pivot of the CDB, Mr. Lester Arnold of the OECS Commission/RRACC, Mr. Christopher Corbin of the UNEP-CReW and the President of the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) of the USA, Mr.Ray Olson.

On the afternoon of Day 2, the operators will have time to break-out from the confines of this room and demonstrate their technical skills in the Operators’ Competition: Pipe Laying, Service Connection and Installation of valves.

I take this opportunity to thank our host utility NAWASA and their staff for the outstanding support services for hosting this conference.

Thank you, Mr. Husbands and particularly Ms Forsyth, who collaborated with our programme officer Ms. Suzanne Joseph in the delivery of this conference.

Finally, on behalf of the Board of Directors of CAWASA and member utilities, I would like to thank our many sponsors who have contributed to staging this conference.Thank you.

CAWASA Executive Director Ignatius Jean

“Water is H2O, hydrogen two parts, oxygen one, but there is also a third thing, that makes water and no-body knows what that is.”

D.H. Lawrence, Pansies, 1929


CaribDA readying for 2016 Conference & Exposition"Developing and Affording New Water Sources"

2016 Call for Abstracts

CaribDA would like to remind you about the upcoming 2016 Biennial Con-ference & Exposition, "Developing and Affording New Water Sources" sched-uled for 31st May – 3th June 2016 at the Hyatt Regency in Trinidad.

PresentationThe deadline for submission of abstracts for Papers is 15th January 2016

(Please note that all PowerPoint Presentations(Required) will be due by 8th April, 2016 and papers are Optional).

Submission of Abstracts:Call for Abstracts: CaribDA will coordinate a three-day program of techni-

cal presentations and posters. We invite you to submit abstracts on the sub-jects of desalination and waste water reuse and related topics listed below (please use these reference numbers in your submittal):

1. Technology & Innovations

2. Planning & Management

3. Finance & Economics

4. Regulations and the Environment

Please click the following links for the 2016 Call for Papers with the full re-quirements for proper submittal instructions.

Submit to: All abstracts must be submitted in the required Abstract Submis-sion Form found in the links below, to CaribDA via email:planning@caribda.

com. If the file is too large to send via email, send to the Hightail address: https://www.hightail.com/u/PlanningCoordinator by the deadline.Poster/Student Poster

The deadline for submission of abstracts for Student Posters is 15th January 2016 (Please note that a PDF of your actual Poster will be due by 8th April 2016).

Submission of Abstracts:Call for Abstracts: CaribDA will coordinate a Poster Session which will in-

clude a Student Best Poster Competition. We invite you to submit abstracts on the subjects of desalination and waste water reuse and related topics listed below (please use these reference numbers in your submittal):

1. Technology & Innovations

2. Planning & Management

3. Finance & Economics

4. Regulations and the Environment

Please click the following links for the Poster Session's 2016 Call for Papers with the full requirements for proper submittal instructions.

Submit to: All abstracts must be submitted in the required Abstract Submis-sion Form found in the links below, to CaribDA via email:[email protected]. If the file is too large to send via email, send to the Hightail address: https://www.hightail.com/u/PlanningCoordinator by the deadline

5. Seawater Reverse Osmosis Applications

6. Desalination using Green Energy

7. Thermal Desalination

8. Other

5. Seawater Reverse Osmosis Applications

6. Desalination using Green Energy

7. Thermal Desalination

8. Other

A Wastewater Operations and Maintenance Workshop has been organized for October 27-31, 2015 At the Maria’s-by-the-Sea Hotel in Tortola, BVI The Facilita-tor will be Mr Alphonsus Daniel, a certified engineer.

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to understand basic hy-draulics related to open flow channel as it relates to sewers not flowing full; read and interpret the basic design of wastewater treatment plants; and understand the sources of wastewater generation, types and quality wastewater.

Participants will also be expected to differentiate between different types

of wastewater treatment plant; undertake the operations and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants; assume responsibilities of wastewater operators to implement health and safety measures, laboratory analysis and effluent quality; and to appreciate the Do’s and Don’ts during operations and maintenance of treatment plant and sewerage.


The programme for the two-day activity is printed on this page.

In August 2015, at the 24th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Associa-tion Conference, Belize Water Services Ltd. (BWS) participated in the Caribbean Water Utility Action Plan to Protect Water Sources and Build Resiliency in the Face of Climate Change and Other Threats session. Following up from that ses-sion, BWS has decided to increase its focus on the protection of surface water sources, which is its primary source for water supply. Belize has over thirty watersheds with water being sourced from 3 rivers to produce potable drinking water for about 65% of the customer base. In recent times, due to population increase, climate change, and increased activities in farming, agriculture, aqua-culture and tourism, BWS has increased its monitoring of such water sources to ensure that we are able to effectively treat water and identify any contaminants to these sources.

In order to ensure our mission of delivering high quality and cost-effective services in an environmentally responsible manner, BWS has embarked on


Water Quality Monitoring at Belize Water Services

September 2015

In August 2015, at the 24th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference, Belize Water Services Ltd. (BWS) participated in the Caribbean Water Utility Action Plan to Protect Water Sources and Build Resiliency in the Face of Climate Change and Other Threats session. Following up from that session, BWS has decided to increase its focus on the protection of surface water sources, which is its primary source for water supply. Belize has over thirty watersheds with water being sourced from 3 rivers to produce potable drinking water for about 65% of the customer base. In recent times, due to population increase, climate change, and increased activities in farming, agriculture, aquaculture and tourism, BWS has increased its monitoring of such water sources to ensure that we are able to effectively treat water and identify any contaminants to these sources.

In order to ensure our mission of delivering high quality and cost-effective services in an environmentally responsible manner, BWS has embarked on establishing a Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) for surface water. This had commenced earlier with the assistance of our WOP partner, Contra Costa Water District; this twinning, which commenced in 2011, completed a second phase in March 2015. The purpose of the WQMP is to improve our laboratory capabilities, including establishing the necessary policies and procedures, particularly in effectively testing for contamination and heavy metals. This program will assist in building awareness and provide analytical data for all our stakeholders, providing information of basin and river activities that are affecting the quality of water and, subsequently, enforcing the necessary national policies to mitigate the effects of agriculture, development and climate change as it relates to water. One of the first steps is to develop a testing results database to collect and analyse surface water. We aim to have this established and to have all stakeholders engaged in this program by the end of 2015.

Team Inspecting Surface Water Intake at the Belize River



September 2015

In August 2015, at the 24th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference, Belize Water Services Ltd. (BWS) participated in the Caribbean Water Utility Action Plan to Protect Water Sources and Build Resiliency in the Face of Climate Change and Other Threats session. Following up from that session, BWS has decided to increase its focus on the protection of surface water sources, which is its primary source for water supply. Belize has over thirty watersheds with water being sourced from 3 rivers to produce potable drinking water for about 65% of the customer base. In recent times, due to population increase, climate change, and increased activities in farming, agriculture, aquaculture and tourism, BWS has increased its monitoring of such water sources to ensure that we are able to effectively treat water and identify any contaminants to these sources.

In order to ensure our mission of delivering high quality and cost-effective services in an environmentally responsible manner, BWS has embarked on establishing a Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) for surface water. This had commenced earlier with the assistance of our WOP partner, Contra Costa Water District; this twinning, which commenced in 2011, completed a second phase in March 2015. The purpose of the WQMP is to improve our laboratory capabilities, including establishing the necessary policies and procedures, particularly in effectively testing for contamination and heavy metals. This program will assist in building awareness and provide analytical data for all our stakeholders, providing information of basin and river activities that are affecting the quality of water and, subsequently, enforcing the necessary national policies to mitigate the effects of agriculture, development and climate change as it relates to water. One of the first steps is to develop a testing results database to collect and analyse surface water. We aim to have this established and to have all stakeholders engaged in this program by the end of 2015.

Team Inspecting Surface Water Intake at the Belize River

establishing a Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) for surface wa-ter. This had commenced earlier with the assistance of our WOP partner, Contra Costa Water District; this twinning, which commenced in 2011, com-pleted a second phase in March 2015. The purpose of the WQMP is to im-prove our laboratory capabilities, including establishing the necessary poli-cies and procedures, particularly in effectively testing for contamination and heavy metals. This program will assist in building awareness and provide analytical data for all our stakeholders, providing information of basin and river activities that are affecting the quality of water and, subsequently, en-forcing the necessary national policies to mitigate the effects of agriculture, development and climate change as it relates to water. One of the first steps is to develop a testing results database to collect and analyse surface water. We aim to have this established and to have all stakeholders engaged in this program by the end of 2015.

Team Inspecting Surface Water Intake at the Belize RiverChemist/Microbiologist Gayle Ross describes best practices at the lab

at the Placencia site.

CAWASA to host Wastewater Operations and Maintenance Workshop in Tortola



The Council of Ministers with Responsibility for Environment and Sustain-able Development” of the ‘Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States’ (OECS) recently met in Antigua and Barbuda, and the overarching theme was “Island Resilience”.

For the first time, representatives from Martinique participated alongside An-guilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Vincent & Grenadines.

The event focused on crucial topics such as ‘OECS Building Codes’, ‘Model Water Policy’, ‘COP 21′, ‘Global Climate Change Alliance Demonstration Proj-ects’, ‘Invasive Species’, ‘Ocean Acidification’, ‘OECS Hydrography’, ‘Marine Research’, ‘Renewable Energy’, and ‘Sustainable Development Goals’.

First, the presentation on ‘Climate outlook until February 2016′ was made by Dr. Cédric J. Van Meerbeeck from the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology (CIMH).

According to the presentation, a drought exists in the entire OECS region and is forecasted to continue for the foreseeable future

OECS region in drought for the foreseeable future

The most severe drought to hit the Caribbean in recent years is expected to worsen despite rains from tropical storms that have replenished some reservoirs.

Forecasters say El Nino phenomenon is gathering strength and will continue to warm the tropical Pacific until early next year, which translates into sparse rainfall for this largely parched region as the dry season approaches.”

The real concern will come late in the year,” said Adrian Trotman, a forecaster with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology.

“We are definitely in a period of relief, but it’s quite likely the relief will not be as long-lived as we would like it to be.”

El Nino has produced a quiet hurricane season, which begins in June and ends in November.

Thus far, only two of nine named storms having dumped significant rainfall over parts of the Caribbean.

The institute issued a report this month saying that many islands in the Eastern Caribbean remain in drought and officials warned that the current wet season will likely end before the traditional date of November 30.

Both Barbados and Grenada had their third lowest rainfalls in recent history for August, while Haiti saw up to a 50 percent loss in crops in the hardest-hit areas, ac-cording to a report from the International Monetary Fund.

The neighbouring Dominican Republic saw its agricultural production drop near-ly 11 percent as a result of drought, and dairy industry officials have warned that production could drop 30 percent by year’s end.

Jamaica also has struggled with crop losses, especially in the island’s eastern region.“They are suffering terribly,” said Leslie Simpson, a specialist with the Caribbean

Agricultural Research and Development Institute. “It’s really going to be more serious as we go into the dry season, not only for ag-

riculture but for domestic consumption.”Some islands, including the Bahamas and Cuba, have had some relief in recent

months, and more rain is forecast for them than anywhere else in the Caribbean in the coming months.

Severe drought also has ebbed somewhat in Puerto Rico, where officials this week eased austere water rationing measures. However, 19 percent of the island remains under an extreme drought and 45 percent more is under a severe one.

The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) is en-couraging farmers to find new irrigation methods and better manage existing re-sources.

“They are predicting more frequent droughts,” Simpson said. “This is just the beginning!” (More on Page 11)

Caribbean braces for worsening drought as dry season nears

macro of water drop from flask and grain

on parched soil

The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) is encour-aging farmers to find new irrigation meth-ods and better manage existing resources.

The Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) and the United Nations Environ-ment Programme Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (UNEP CAR/RCU) through the Global Environment Facility-funded Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (GEF CReW) Project, hosted the 11th An-nual High Level Forum (HLF) of Caribbean Ministers responsible for Water on August 27th and 28th, 2015 in Miami, Florida.

The theme of the 11the HLF was “Connecting Water to Climate, Economic Growth and Development within the Post-2015 Development Agenda”.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONSThe key recommendations of the 11th HLF are:

1. Strengthen the process for regional policy making in the water and waste-water sector through COTED

2. Develop a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy for water and wastewater

3. Call for the development of a comprehensive data, information and com-munication management strategy for the water and wastewater sector, in addition to establishing a key repository for such data and information

4. Establish mechanisms for improved decision making in the water and wastewater sector while ensuring alignment between projects and policies

5. Strengthen capacity in the region for the development of project proposals and negotiation for accessing financing

6. Establish and/or strengthen mechanisms for collaboration at national and regional levels

7. Reiterate the importance of communication, outreach and information shar-ing at all levels with regard to the significance of water to development

8. Urge the implementation of mechanisms to achieve the targets set in Goals 6 and 17 related to the water and wastewater sector as established in the post 2015 development agenda

9. Encourage regional policy makers participating in the COP 21 deliberations to give priority attention to the region’s water and wastewater concerns

CWWA Conference High Level Forum 2015Connecting Water to Climate, Economic Growth and

Development within the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Mr Harold Fontaine, a resident of Petite Savanne and Caretaker of DOWASCO’s water system for that area, lost his dwelling house and its entire contents and all his other be-longings in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika.

A special appeal was made by DOWASCO for humanitarian assis-tance.

CAWASA arranged for assistance from member utilities and other part-ners.

Member utility, the Water Author-ity, Cayman (WAC) through its Staff Association and Mr Irwin Gill of Irwin Gill Training Consultancy in Trinidad & Tobago, provided monetary sup-port to Mr Fontaine.

CAWASA would like to thank WAC and the staff association and Mr Gill for their support to Mr Fontaine. Mr. Harold Fontaine

Humanitarian Aid provided to DOWASCO caretaker who lost his home to Erika!


Government of the Virgin Islands

JOB TITLE: Engineer III

JOB CLASSIFICATION:

MINISTRY: Ministry of Communications and Works

COST CENTRE: 2760

DEPARTMENT: Water and Sewerage

GRADE: 12

SECTION/UNIT: Sewerage Operations and Development

REPORTS TO: Directly: Director

Indirectly: Deputy Director

SUPERVISES: Directly: Engineer I/II

Indirectly: Systems Operator Supervisor Assistant Systems Operator Supervisor System Operators I/II

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field Five (5) years’ working experience in a related area Valid BVI driver’s license

WORKING CONDITIONS: Normal office environment Fieldwork Exposure to raw sewerage

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: Sound knowledge of Government structure, policies and procedures Excellent knowledge of engineering design Sound knowledge of relevant computer software applications Excellent analytical and decision-making skills Sound oral and written communication skills Sound interpersonal skills and the ability to work as a team player Sound knowledge of Project Management Excellent reporting-writing skills Sound supervisory and management skills

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: To coordinate operations, maintenance and development of all BVI water and/or sewerage infrastructure to ensure continual and efficient operation.

Role Profile

KEY RESULT AREAS: GENERAL This section outlines the key objectives of your role, and is not an exhaustive overview of tasks pertaining to this role. Tasks assigned to you will be relevant to these objectives, to your position (i.e. role and grade), and will assist your department in meeting its objectives.

1. Supervise assigned staff to ensure work is kept to a consistently high standard.

2. Prepare project schedules and status reports to ensure timely flow of information.

3. Perform any other related duties as required by Supervisor or any other senior officer in order to contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the department.

KEY RESULT AREA: DEPARTMENTAL 1. Manage and oversee the smooth and efficient operation of the sewerage system and associated treatment

plants to ensure all sewerage projects are compliant with operational procedures and standards; and supervision of assigned staff.

2. Attend meetings, workshops and training sessions as instructed to ensure awareness of policies and procedures relevant to the role and report on the outcomes.

3. Prepare the Division’s Annual Report to ensure interested parties are fully informed and to facilitate the elaborating of the Departmental Strategic Plan.

4. Manage the procurement, operations and maintenance of tools and equipment used by the Department in the execution of duties to ensure required equipment is available at all times.

5. Plan, develop, report on and implement sewerage construction, inspections and current and future planned sewerage projects to ensure sewerage works and facilities are maintained to a consistent standard.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES: The full list of competencies for this role is included in the competency framework which should be read in conjunction with this role profile. The following list identifies those competencies considered to be the most key competencies for this role:

1. Manages own resources and professional development 2. Manages time effectively 3. Provides leadership in area of responsibility 4. Analyses information 5. Provides information and advice to others 6. Allocates work to teams and individuals

Note: This role profiles incorporates the most typical duties performed. It is recognised that other related duties not specifically mentioned may also be performed; the inclusion of these other duties may not alter the overall evaluation or grading of this position.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description public officers have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflict of interests to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities. Public officers are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, General Orders, policies and procedures for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

Notice for open tenderREQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP Ref. No.:

RFP-SAINTLUCIA-093845-15-001(JFC)

FOR

The Design & Construction of an Integrated and Sustainable Potable Water Solution in Dennery North, Saint

Lucia in two phases.

Beneficiary country: SAINT LUCIA

Reference number: RFP-SAINTLUCIA-093845-15-001(JFC)

Description: Design & Construction of an Integrated and Sustainable Potable Water Solution in Dennery North, Saint Lucia in two phases.

UNSPSC code: 47101514 (Water treatment System)Deadline date submission of proposals: 16:30 pm (Saint Lucia time) on 11 November 2015

Posting date: 1 October 2015______________________________________________________

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) now invites sealed proposals from bidders for the Design & Construction of an Integrated and Sustainable Potable Water Solution in Dennery North, Saint Lucia in two phases.

Interested bidders may obtain a complete set of tender documents in English by clicking the “View Documents” in the “Related Link” column or by contacting the below mentioned contact person.

Please be advised that UNOPS reserves the right to amend the solicitation documents at any time. Any amendments or clarifications will be posted under the “view documents” of the concerned case file on the “Current business opportunities” on www.unops.org, and we kindly ask you to check the site before submitting your proposal.Special Procurement Conditions (optional)NAProposals must be received by UNOPS on the address, specified below on or before 11 November 2015 at 16:30 pm (Saint Lucia time) in a sealed envelope marked with RFP-SAINTLUCIA-093845-15-001(JFC). Proposals sent to any other address will be declared invalid.

Please note that no remuneration will be made to bidders for preparation and submission of proposals.

UNOPS Contact Information:United Nations Office for Project ServicesAtt. Djibrilla MAZINProvidence Commercial Centre, 1st Floor room # 9Rodney Bay, Gros IsletSaint Lucia, West [email protected]

For companies not registered with the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) it is mandatory to do so in order to be able to do business with UNOPS. The United Nations Global marketplace is a database of active and potential suppliers available to all UN and World Bank procurement personnel, and is the main supplier database of more than 20 UN organizations. To register go to www.ungm.org, click on “REGISTER NOW” or on Registration drop down and select “Register as Supplier”.


RFP Ref. No.:


FOR




RFP Ref. No.:


FOR



2nd Caribbean Water Leaders Summit

presented by

Global Water Leaders Group (GWLG) in collaboration with Caribbean Water & Sewerage Association Inc. (CAWASA) and

Global Environment Fund – Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (GEF-CReW)

Plan to join us on December 2-3, 2015 at the two-day Summit to be held at Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua and Barbuda


By Horst Michael Vogel Ph.D.

I had the privilege to participate in the recent Second Council of Ministers with Responsibility for Environment and Sustainable Development of the Organisa-tion of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS.

The meeting took place in Antigua and Barbuda and the overarching theme was ‘Island Resilience’.

For the first time, representatives from Martinique participated alongside An-guilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & Grenadines.

The event focused on crucial topics such as OECS Building Codes, Model Wa-ter Policy, COP 21, Global Climate Change Alliance Demonstration Projects, Invasive Species, Ocean Acidification, OECS Hydrography, Marine Research, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development Goals.

Since under no circumstances do I wish to pre-empt regular OECS reporting on the event, I confine my feedback to a few select news.

First, the presentation on Climate Outlook Until February 2016 by Cedric van Meerbeek from the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology (CIMH).

According to the presentation, we’re in drought in the entire OECS region -- and the Caribbean for that matter. And this drought is forecasted to continue for the foreseeable future.

One outlier figure that struck me in particular is the daily rainfall of 336.4 mm for D’Leau Gommier in Dominica on Thursday morning, August 27, 2015. Note, it requires only one outlier such as tropical storm Erika to wreak havoc on an entire small island nation -- which was why Dominica was not represented at the meeting!

The ongoing drought also poses huge problems for the host nation of Antigua & Barbuda. For example, the Potworks Dam in Antigua is totally empty. Appar-ently for the second time only in its long history! As a result, Antigua currently depends to 85% on desalination.

Another issue that Antigua – like so many other island nations in the Carib-bean – suffers from badly is the on-going invasion of Sargassum.

Apparently, the stench and associated health problems of rotting Sargassum has led to the abandonment of houses, the closure of a primary school and the cancellation of an increasing number of tourism bookings.

I also learned that household appliances may turn black and stop working. And ravenous Giant African snails (Achatina fulica) that get attracted appar-ently do die from feeding on Sargassum. I’d be keen to learn more about such observations.

Let me close on a positive note, though. I’m happy to report that our efforts to generate complementary approaches are bearing fruit.

For example, the OECS-implemented project entitled Reduce the Risks to Hu-man and Natural Assets Resulting from Climate Change (RRACC) and the Wa-ter & Sewerage Company (WASCO) of Saint Lucia have successfully employed one of the companies involved in the CATS initiative entitled Strategic Alliance Water Loss Reduction & Energy Efficiency’ and carried out GIS-based Training on Pipeline Mapping in July 2015 in Castries. This complements our own sup-port efforts in an ideal way!

We don’t fantasize about starry-eyed idealism, but we’re committed to the continual development of partnerships and the capacity of partners to choose!

We don’t fantasize about starry-eyed idealism!

A view from the Second Meeting Council of Ministers with Responsibility for Environment and Sustainable Development of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

By Dr. Horst Vogel, Programme Director, Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS), GIZ.

Antigua: Sargassum invasion is causing havoc in Antigua, lead-

ing to closure of schools and even abandonment of homes. ( Photo: Ruleta Camacho)

Antigua: Potworks Dam, Wednesday, September 9, 2015: The dam was

totally empty – for only the second time in its long history. As a result, Antigua currently depends on 85%

desalination for water.


Residents of the scenic community of Perou, La Croix Maingot in Castries South East will see the end of 2015 with a new outlook on pipe-borne water in their neighbourhood. That’s because the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) has signed a contract with the Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) to complete a three-month water supply enhancement project.

Perou, which has traditionally been faced with an unsteady water supply due to several factors including topography, was identified for intervention under the Seventh Cycle of the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Programme adminis-tered by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).

The BNTF 7, which is a collaboration project between the Caribbean Develop-ment Bank (CDB) and the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL), undertakes pov-erty reduction interventions in three targeted sectors: Education and Human Resource Development (Youth at Risk); Access and Drainage; and Water and Sanitation.

Executive Director of the SSDF, Joachim Henry said: “We know that this need existed for a long time and we are happy that we can now sign the contract to see the commencement of this water project.

“It involves the establishment of 0.5km of four-inch water mains, and of course a number of households will be connected to this line.”

He added, “In addition to that, we will conduct our customary training exer-

cises to impress the understanding of the importance of water to beneficiaries.” The SSDF ED continued, “We must treat water as a very precious commodity,

so that we do not waste it. So, our capacity building component of the project is all in an attempt to have a sustainable water project here in this community.”

The Skills Training component of the project comprises water resource, main-tenance, and waste management training for 25 residents of Perou.

Meanwhile, Minister for Social Transformation, Local Government and Com-munity Empowerment Harold Dalsan said: “The total Country Allocation for the Water & Sanitation Improvement Sector is $3,222,63.00 and the contribution by the Government of St. Lucia is $161,131.00.”

The Minister noted that “There are five projects that have been earmarked for this intervention by the CDB.

“One which is very necessary is the George Charles Boulevard Public Facility in Marchand, another is the Ravine Poisson Public Facility which is in dire need of attention, this project here in Perou, Bouton to Colombette for water supply enhancement, and fourthly improvement of the water supply in Canaries.”

The allocation for the Perou, La Corix Maingot water supply enhancement sub-project is $308,404.00, including a contribution of $15, 420.00 by the government of Saint Lucia. The project is the first Water & Sanitation Improvement sub-proj-ect of the BNTF 7 to reach implementation stage.

WASCO and SSDF sign contract for BNTF water supply enhancement projects in Saint Lucia

Water is indeed Life!These two photos taken by Julian Joseph in saint Lucia show an amazing

but quite interesting contrast that underlines the important of water to life – and reiterates that Water is indeed Life! The first photo shows the island’s majestic Pitons during the drought/dry season. The photo was taken from the Anse Mamin Ridge. The second picture shows the Pitons now, follow-ing a return of rainfall. (Photos courtesy Stlucianewsonline.com)


Twenty employees of NAWASA recently participated in a leak-detection train-ing workshop organized by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

GIZ has procured three pieces of leak detection equipment for NAWASA that will enable the Authority to identify leaks along its distribution network.

Trainees participated in both the theoretical and practical field training over three days.

The workshop aimed to enhance the knowledge of technical staff working on network issues for pipe and cable location, leak detection, data loggers trading and assessment of data.

Leak Detection is best described as a proactive strategy to reduce water loss by the detection of invisible leaks using specialized equipment followed by the prompt repair of leaks.

Benefits of NAWASA's Leak Detection Programme• Improved operational efficiency and reduce operational cost.• Lowered water system operational costs.• Reduced potential for contamination.• Extended life of lines and fittings.• Reduced potential property damage and water system liability.

• Reduced water outage events/valve regulation.• Improved public relations.• Increased knowledge of the distribution system.

The workshop is being held at NAWASA's Conference Facility at Dusty Highway.

NAWASA says it is very happy to receive three bits of equipment from GIZ that will greatly assist in the identifications of leaks along its distribution network.

As part of the practical training, some trainees participated in a leak identifica-tion drive at Park Estate, St. David on September 22nd, 2015.

The trainees later engaged in a similar exercise in Calivigny, St. George and Gouyave, St. John.

Over the past years, the Authority’s Leak Detection Unit can attest to accurate location and speedy repairs of leaking water pipes in its supply system, thus, reducing our water loss or NRW by approximately 10-15%.

Because the leaks are found with great accuracy, the Authority has seen signifi-cant reduction in the costs associated with road reinstatement.

NAWASA says a special thank you to GIZ for your support to NAWASA and also recognize trainer Michael Kersting from Sewerin for imparting added knowledge to the trainees.

GIZ assists NAWASA in leak detection

Grenadian and GIZ officials outlined the benefits of the training programme. One of the presenters in session.

Participants in session during the workshop.

The workshop trained participants in leak detection.

Trainers and trainees in session at one of the locations. Leak detection training under way in Grenada.

Detecting leaks during training Leak detectors sounding out in the field and on the road.

1

Based on a request for assistance from the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited (DOWASCO) to the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trini-dad and Tobago (WASA), David Benny, Head Research and Development and Daren Gazee, Head Water Planning travelled to Dominica over the period Sep-tember 16th – 20th, 2015. An assessment report was prepared outlining further assistance that WASA could provide and this is under consideration by WASA. The pictures hereunder were taken by the WASA team.


Tropical Storm ERIKA – First-hand pictures

Based on a request for assistance from the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited (DOWASCO) to the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA), David Benny, Head Research and Development and Daren Gazee, Head Water Planning travelled to Dominica over the period September 16th – 20th, 2015. An assessment report was prepared outlining further assistance that WASA could provide and this is under consideration by WASA. The pictures hereunder were taken by the WASA team.

Sewer Collapse on the Roseau Collection system Damage sustained by river in the Grandbay area

Broken pipeline at Pichelin Roadway collapse at Springfield
















WASA helping Dominica

Sewer Collapse on the Roseau Collection system

Damage sustained by river in the Grandbay area

Broken pipeline at Pichelin

Roadway collapse at Springfield


CAWASA has welcomed the appointment of a new board and CEO for the state-oened water facility.The Guyana Government revealed that it has appointed a new

Board of Directors and a new Chief Executive at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the State owned water utility. Mr Nigel Hinds is the new Chairman of the Board of Directors

which comprise, engineer Charles Ceres; Emil McGarrell; David Dewar; Christina Bissessar; Savitri Singh-Sharma; Ryan Belgrave; Patricia Chase-Greene and Samantha Fedee.Dr. Richard Van West-Charles is the new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Van West-Charles is a former Minister within the Health,

Housing, Water and Environment Sectors before 1992. He has vast experience in the area of public health, including being responsible for research and bioethics. He is the former Academic Dean of St. Helen University Medi-

cal School and Health Sciences, Saint Lucia, Special Advisor Part-nerships with the International Financial Institutions at the World Health Organization (WHO), Area Manager for Information and Knowledge Management, PAHO/WHO as well as PAHO/WHO Representative for Jamaica; Cayman Islands and Bermuda, among other places. He is also a Doctor of Medicine with a Master of Public Health

from the University of Michigan and a Certificate in Health Eco-nomics from University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He holds a Bach-elor of Science Degree from McMaster University, Ontario Canada with other qualifications in Leadership and Social Development .Dr. Van West-Charles has stated that access to safe, potable water

is a priority on his list of areas for attention.“Without a healthy society we cannot achieve the Guyana we are

hoping to build,” he said, adding that “Paramount to maintaining good public health is access to safe water. Hence, this area along with water quality and GWI’s financial viability are key issues I will be addressing immediately.”CAWASA congratulates the new Board of Directors and the new

CEO on their recent appointments. During a brief visit to Guyana on October 7, 2015 Mr. Ignatius

Jean, the executive director of CAWASA paid a courtesy visit on the new CEO of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West Charles. He conveyed congratulations on the behalf of the Board of Direc-

tors and members of CAWASA, and gave him an overview of the Association’s objectives, activities, benefits of membership, and opportunities for collaboration with other utilities through the Wa-ter Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs). It is hoped that the new CEO will join other Caribbean CEOs at

the second Caribbean Water Leaders Conference in Antigua, De-cember 2 to 3, 2015.

CAWASA Congratulates New

Administration at Guyana Water

Incorporated (GWI)

New GWI Chairman of the Board, Nigel Hinds (seated center); Chief Executive, Dr. Richard Van West Charles (2nd from left) and Permanent Secretary of

the Ministry of Communities, Emile McGarrell (2nd right standing) with the Corporate Management Team.

cawasa inc. e-source magazine july - september 2015 | caribbean water and sewerage association

Government & Nonprofit