www.cawasa.org/blog - Caribbean Water and Sewage Association e-Source Newsletter June 2015

1. In this Issue
January-April 2015Caribbean Water and Sewage Association Inc.
Reducing Water Loss in Saint Lucia Page 2
CAWASA Secretariat News Pages 3, 4 and 8
Anguilla Kisses Water Rationing Goodbye! Page 5
World Water Day 2015: Facts and Figures Pages 6 and 7
Dominica and St. Vincent in Mourning Page 8
CaribDA to Meet in Mexico Page 11
Regional Stakeholders Collaborate for Water Page 11
Multilateral Water MoU Signed in Barcelona Page 12
Climate Knowledge
and Understanding can
Lessen Water Woes!

2. e-SourcePage 2 July-December 2014
The Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association (CAWASA) last month coordinated another in the series
of training workshops facilitated by the CONSULAQUA group of Hamburg, Germany for WASCO. This
one was held April 22 – April 24, 2015.
The Strategic Alliance for Water Loss Reduction (STA), with the support of the GIZ (German International
Development Agency), was on its fourth mission to Saint Lucia to conduct training in Network and Hydrau-
lic for WASCO.
This part of a GIZ technical cooperation programme with WASCO looked at “Utility Support of Saint Lu-
cia’s Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) – Water Loss Reduction and Energy Efficiency”.
WASCO invited its regional partner utilities, through the Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association (CA-
WASA), to participate in the training workshop.
Technical staff of the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Central Water & Sewerage Authority of St.
Vincent & the Grenadines participated in the workshop, as well as the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College
(SALCC).
The participation of teaching staff of the SALCC is and was very important to the programme, as it is envis-
aged that SALCC should be integral to the development of a regional training centre for water loss reduction.
The previous workshop held in March 2015 on ‘Energy Efficiency’ was attended by technicians from the
Dominica Water and Sewerage Corporation (DOWASCO), the Nevis Water Department and the Belize Wa-
ter Services (BWS).
The March 24 to April 3 saw the participants conduct training in Energy Audits and Leak Detection for
WASCO, which had also invited its regional partner utilities, through CAWASA, to participate, including
the SALCC.
WASCO/GIZ/CONSOLQUA and
CAWASA collaborated towards
Water Loss Reduction and
Energy Efficiency in Saint Lucia
WASCO/GIZ/STA and CAWASA collaborated
towards Water Loss Reduction and Energy
Efficiency in Saint Lucia
Editorial
Participants charted and assessed the problems of water loss throughout the Caribbean during
the two workshops in Saint Lucia.
Lively exchanges of shared regional experiences pervaded throughout the discussions
at both workshops.
Mad Max - Beyond the Thunderdome! That
hit movie (starring Mel Gibson and Tina Turn-
er) was all about a futuristic war for water. The
liquid source of life had become so rare world-
wide that nations and communities fought
fierce battles over the scarce resource.
The film was fiction, but the story was about
a real possibility. The way water is wasted the
world over today suggests we still think it’s an
everlasting resource that can and will always re-
plenish itself. We don’t have to scout the world
for examples as they exist right here across the
Caribbean. We see broken pipes spilling water
for hours or days before being repaired. Lawns
are mechanically watered with pipe water for
seemingly endless periods. We still wash cars
with tap water. We allow water to run in the
bath for as long as we’re in there. We ignore
leaking taps, oblivious to the amounted amount
wasted through sustained leakages.
Because Water is always there, we don’t look
beyond out our taps – or our eyebrows. We
don’t realize that while we are surrounded by
water and can even transform it into drinking
water, there are millions upon millions who
have never seen the sea, who have no rivers
and no ready access to any kind of water.
In our part of the world – Latin America and
the Caribbean – 394 million people are without
access to water. Over 768 million people world-
wide still use unsafe drinking water. (That means
one in every nine people in the entire world, but
that thought hardly resonates when we’re wash-
ing wares with the tap on.) Over 800 thousand
people die from water-related diseases every
year. Every 20 seconds a child dies somewhere
on this earth from a water-related illness. And if
we don’t change our ways worldwide now, safe
water can reduce by 40% in the next 15 years.
Water loss reduction is, understandably, a
major necessary factor in planning and pursuit
of water efficiency today. Scientific measure-
ments show how more water is usually wasted
than registered traditionally. New scientific
and technical means are also being introduced
over quick time to reduce water loss.
Climate Change is rapidly showing the con-
nection between environmental developments
and water availability. The more frequent and
severe droughts being experienced in the Ca-
ribbean and across the developing world and
the increased number of heat waves in Europe
and North America show just how much water
is important to save and preserve.
CAWASA and affiliated regional utilities and
institutions concerned with water, continue
to advocate and pursue water loss reduction
across the Caribbean because all the evidence
points to the need to be resolute in finding ways
and means to get Caribbean consumers to be
more conscious of and sensitive to the continu-
ing appeals for water preservation, protection
and conservation.
We cannot let the well run dry, which is why
we simply have to simply save water every
way we can, each and every time. Each and ev-
ery drop can save a life, which is why the world
acknowledges that ‘Water is Life’. We simply
have to act like we believe it when we utter
these three little words with such big meaning
for mankind!
Reducing Water Loss!
UPCOMING CAWASA EVENTS
Date Event Location
25-26
June,
2015
4th Caribbean Water
Operators Conference
Grenada
3 July
2015
Water Operators
Certification
Programme
Examination
Various
For Additional information contact:
sjoseph@cawasa.org

3. e-Source Page 3January-April 2015
CAWASA Secretariat News
Nineteen (19) operators sat the As-
sociation of Boards of Certification
Examinations in December 2014, and
eighteen (18) in February 2015, with
an overall pass rate of 58% and 28%
respectively recorded. The follow-
ing countries participated: Antigua &
36 from six states sat ABC Exams
CAWASA collaborated with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in as-
sociation with the World Bank, the Regional Fund for Wastewater Management
(CReW), and the Caribbean Water & Sewerage Association Inc (CAWASA) in or-
ganizing a Water Reform Workshop for CEOs of Water and Wastewater Utilities
in the Region. The meeting was held in Barbados from November 27-28, 2014.
The Barbados meeting examined a 2012 Caribbean Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) Report, which found that Caribbean countries had made consis-
tent progress in expanding the coverage of drinking water services. However,
it was also found that a high level of access to improved water and sanitation
services duid not mean consistently good or reliable service because the financ-
ing required was limited.
“The region has done well. However, we have some ground to cover to in-
crease and maintain access and quality,” said Edward Greene, Division Chief at
the CDBs Technical Cooperation Division.
The CDB itself has contributed significantly over the year to water Develop-
ment across the region since 2005. It has funded the installation and upgrade
of more that 3,400 kilo meters of water lines, affording over 63,000 households
(200,000 people) in the region with access to a clean water supply and improved
sanitation.
Barbuda; Cayman Islands, Dominica,
Montserrat, St Lucia and Trinidad &
Tobago. The following were the ex-
amination categories:
• Water Distribution
• Water Treatment
• Water Laboratory
• Wastewater Collection
• Wastewater Treatment
Congratulations to: Terry Benja-
min, Livingstone Samuel, Olson
Dowe; Kashif Kelly, Timica Rich-
ards and Barir Stevens (Antigua
& Barbuda); Omar Harley (Cay-
man Islands), Jefferson Durand
(Dominica); Mervin Justin, Cher-
noye St Croix, Alvin Lewis and
Shawn Jules (St Lucia); Winston
Holder, Christopher Tang, Daniel
Boyce and Gary Pilgrim (Trini-
dad & Tobago).
Water Utilities CEOs Workshop
on Water Reform
Saint Lucia is in the middle of another water-related emergency for all parts of the
island.
The 2015 emergency – the second in two years – was declared earlier this month, ef-
fective May 20 until July 31.
Water Minister Senator Dr. James Fletcher (Minister for Sustainable Development,
Energy, Public Service, Information and Broadcasting) said during an Address to the
Nation that river flow rates around the island were below expected base-flow rates.
Consequently, he said, government had taken several steps to reduce the impact of
the dry period.
The minister declared several measure taken: In the north of the island the Van-
nard and Ravine Poisson intakes were re-activated; abstraction of water from the John
Compton Dam will be reduced; thirteen major leaks on the raw water line from the
dam to the Ciceron Treatment Plant are being repaired; a water source in Deglos will
be activated; and temporary public standpipes will be installed in some of the most
affected communities around the island.
In addition, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) will assist
with trucking water to communities where urgently required.
However, for these measures to work, government is requesting the full cooperation
of the Saint Lucian public.
It advises that drinking water should not be used for washing vehicles and watering
lawns or gardens; and that the washing of vehicles in rivers, should stop immediately
in order to avoid contamination of water sources.
Government also served notice that tampering with WASCO’s infrastructure by open-
ing WASCO’s valves is illegal and should not take place. (More on Pages 8, 9 and 10)
Saint Lucia gripped by another water emergency!
In accordance with the deci-
sion of the Cari-WOP Steering
Committee, October 7, 2014, a
diagnostic mission to Haiti took
place February 2 to 4, 2015.
The delegation comprised, Mr.
Ignatius Jean, Executive Secre-
tary of CariWOP/Executive Di-
rector of Caribbean Water and
Sewerage Association (CAWA-
SA); Mr. Cyprian Gibson, repre-
sentative of Bahamas Water and
Sewerage Corporation/Carib-
bean Water and Wastewater As-
sociation (CWWA)/Cari-WOP;
Mr. Aly Anthony, representa-
tive of the Water and Sewerage
Corporation (WASCO), Saint
Lucia; Dr. Jose Luis Martin
Bordes, representative of the
Global Water Operators’ Part-
nerships Alliance (GWOPA)/
UN-Habitat, Spain;Ms. Sandrine
Capelle-Manuel, representative
of UN-Habitat Haiti; Dr. Adria-
nus Vlugman, PAHO/WHO-
Barbados; Mr. Julio Urruela-
Roquero, PAHO/WHO- Haiti.
The purpose of the visit was
first, to signal to DINEPA the
intention of the Cari-WOP to
honour its commitment, given
at the Steering Committee Meet-
ing in the Bahamas. Secondly, to
get a first-hand perspective of
the water and sanitation sector
in some key provinces in order
to provide a sound basis for fur-
ther development of the WOP
programme in Haiti.
During this mission, a pro-
posal for the strengthening of
four CTEs (Centre Technique
d’Exploitation - Technical Op-
erations Centres) - Jeremiah,
Gonaives, Hinche and Cap Haitien, was studied, along
with working sessions that developed a plan of action and
the terms of reference for this collaboration. Apart from the
meetings with the donor agencies, working sessions with
the CTE, proposals of the agencies by Carrefour and CTE
of Petit Goave were also considered.
The Mission met with key officials and agencies including
Mr. Benito Dumay, Director General of DINEPA; Ms. Car-
men Rodriquez Arce, the Representative of Agencia Espa-
nola de Cooperacion Internacional para Desarollo –AECID
(i.e. Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for De-
velopment); Ms. Corinne Cathala, the IDB’s Infrastructure
Specialist, Water and Sanitation Division, (who was in Haiti
during the period of the Mission); and Eng. Mr Revel Mom-
premier – Special Advisor to the Minister for Public Works,
Transport and Communications, Government of Haiti.
The delegation toured the laboratory and inven-
tory facilities at the CTE RMPP (Centre Technique
d’Exploitation de La Region Metropolitaine de Port-
au-Prince). The team also visited a major catchment of
the Centrale Autonome Metropolitaine D’eau Potable
(CAMEP) i.e. the Diquini Tunnel. This underground
stream is located in the mountains west of the central
metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The facility was
commissioned in March, 1940 by President of Haiti, Mr.
Stenio Vincent.
The Draft Work Plan includes the following priorities for
technical cooperation:
• Monitoring of pumping stations and electromechanical
equipment;
• Commercial Management/Call Center Management;
• Increase water production;
• Geographic Information System (GIS);
• Water Quality (Turbidity);
• Detection and Leak Repair (Rehabilitation);
• Development of a Water Safety Plan (WSP).
Cari-WOP completed first Diagnostic Mission in Haiti
CAWASA Executive Director Ignatius Jean (centre), Program Officer Suzanne Joseph (right)
and other members of the CAWASA delegation with the CEO of Haiti’s DINEPA.

4. e-SourcePage 4 January-April 2015
CAWASA Secretariat News
Gathering for the 7th time, GWOPA's International Steering Commit-
tee brought together over 30 members from the Global WOPs Alliance
in Barcelona, including numerous regional platforms. The meeting was
foremost an occasion to evaluate the work conducted over 2014 by the
Secretariat and Alliance members in understanding, promoting, facili-
tating and implementing WOPs, and decide on the next steps to further
implement the 5 year-strategy.
A general call to scale-up WOPs at the global level was agreed by all
participants. To work towards this objective, it was agreed that greater
advocacy was required in order to mainstream the WOPs approach in
water and sanitation development projects. Participants agreed that the
3rd WOPs Congress in September will be a key event to bring new play-
ers and stakeholders to the table.
Ensuring the sustainability of regional WOPs activity was a concern for
a number of Committee members and it was decided that a study of the
current situation would be conducted. Other topics discussed by the com-
mittee include: the launch of the new GWOPA website, the World Water
Forum, World Water Day 2016, among others ... (Extracted from GWOPA
newsletter)
7th Steering Committee Meeting in Barcelona seeks to mainstream WOPs approach
WOPS in HAITI
Representatives from the Cari-WOP secretariat, operators form the Ba-
hamas and Saint Lucia, the WHO and GWOPA took part in a diagnostic
mission to Haiti February 2-4.
The purpose of the visit was to follow up on the commitment made dur-
ing the Cari-Wop Steering Committee Meeting to investigate the feasibil-
ity of a WOP with the Haitian operator DINEPA. The mission was also
an opportunity to get a first-hand perspective of the water and sanitation
sector in some key provinces to serve as a basis for the development of
the WOP programme in Haiti.
During this mission, proposal for the strengthening of four Technical
Operations Centres were made and initial work on developing a plan of
action and the terms of reference for this collaboration were launched.
Meetings with donor agencies and working sessions were also conduct-
ed. A draft work plan and next steps for this WOP are being developed
by all parties.
CAWASA Executive Director Ignatius Jean (third from right) joined
delegates in Barcelona.
CariWOP Mission to DINEPA, HAITA – February 2-6, 2015
Delegates from around the world headed to Barcelona for the 7th meeting.
CAWASA Executive Director Ignatius Jean and other counterparts
attended several topical meetings to seek solutions to global water
operators’ problems.
elona seeks to mainstream WOPs approach
CAWASA Executive Director Ignatius Jean (centre) addressed the Barcelona meeting on Caribbean concerns and the regional impacts of global trends.

5. e-Source Page 5January-April 2015
At long last, the prolonged water-rationing in Anguilla is expected to
soon be something of the past.
This follows the signing of a contract between the Water Corporation
of Anguilla and Caribbean Water Treatment Limited, after a protracted
process of tendering and processing.
The contract was signed on January 30, following the dissemination of
the tender on May 19, 2014.
The Antigua-based company selected to provide the service has over
twenty-two years experience and expertise in operating Seawater
Reverse Osmosis Plants in the Caribbean mainly, but as well as in other
parts of the world.
“This is a long anticipated day for us,” Mrs Evelyne Apire-Hodge, Chief
Executive Officer of the Water Corporation, who signed the contract, told
reporters.
“We are looking forward to having an extra plant for water from the
sea, at Crocus Bay, to increase our water production and to be better able
to serve the people of Anguilla.”
According to her, the plant is expected to produce 500,000 gallons of
water a day, with the possibility of increasing that amount to one million
gallons, depending on the demand.
That water supply will be complemented by the brackish water system
linked with a number of wells in The Valley.
Mr Evan Gumbs, Minister of Infrastructure, said he was very happy
to among those signing the contract to provide additional water for
Anguilla.
He said, “It is long overdue. I have been getting a number of calls from
persons needing water on the island, and I am happy to see that this
contract is taking place today.”
The contract with Caribbean Water Treatment Limited is for ten years,
following which the equipment and operation of the plant will be handed
over to the Water Corporation.
The new plant will entail the use of the existing building at Crocus Bay,
owned by the Water Corporation.
Water rationing soon
to be a thing of the
past in Anguilla!
The company will be installing its own equipment there over the coming
weeks and will also utilize the existing pipelines in the sea.
The plant was closed by its previous operator, General Electric, in September
2012, leaving Anguilla with a considerable shortage of portable water.
A press release issued by the Water Corporation and read by the
Chairman, Mrs Marlene Brooks (a signatory to the contract) stated that
following a rigorous evaluation, Caribbean Water Treatment Limited
was awarded the tender in August 2014.
The company accepted the offer in September 2014 under a Build Own
Transfer arrangement. It was among seven other companies which
tendered for the contract. The others were: GTN Energy, St Martin; TSG
Water Works, Anguilla; Krener, Spain; Ocean Conversion, British Virgin
Islands; L.T.D., Tortola; Air Water Innova, USA; and Seven Seas Water
Corporation, USA.
Caribbean Water Treatment Limited was represented at the signing
ceremony by its Managing Director, Mr Mario Bento.
“Let me first express my happiness that we have finally reached this
long-awaited singing of the contract,” he said.
“This is probably the tenth or twelfth version of the contract. We are very
excited to be putting in a new plant for the Government and people of Anguilla.”
Noting that Antigua often suffered from drought conditions, he said his
company clearly understood the need to meet the water demands of the
Anguillan public.
“We look forward to working with the Water Corporation in the coming
years, to continue to meet the demand which I expect will grow, as we
provide a better service to customers,” he added.
Meanwhile, the press release pointed out that the Water Corporation of
Anguilla, now under new management, was rebranding itself.
Its aim is “to be a more customer-oriented organization, to better
understand and meet the needs of the customer.”
The Corporation has “apologized” and expressed “great appreciation to
its loyal customers who have endured with the water-rationing situation
for the past two years.
Mr Mario Bento signing contract with Chairman Mrs Marlene Brooks, while other board members and officials witnessed the
historic development.

6. e-SourcePage 6 January-April 2015
Some Facts And
Things You May
Not Know
Many people take water for granted, but wa-
ter is essential for life. World Water Day was ob-
served yesterday to simply celebrate water. The
United Nations started the campaign 22 years
ago to show how water makes a difference to ar-
eas of the world where there are water-related
problems.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a
statement for WWD 2015: "To address the many
challenges related to water, we must work in a
spirit of urgent cooperation, open to new ideas
and innovation, and prepared to share the solu-
tions that we all need for a sustainable future."
Water scarcity is probably among the top of
our list of 21st century worries, but few people
worry about it unless they lack a safe source of
ample water.
World Water Day aims to raise awareness, espe-
cially among those who do not try to do enough
to decrease their everyday usage. The average
American, taking a 5-minute shower, uses more
water than an average person in the slums of a
developing country in a whole day.
The U.S. uses more water in a day than oil in a
year. And Every 20 seconds a child dies from a
water-related illness.
The water we have here on Earth came mostly
from outer space as our planet was forming. It
is the legacy of countless collisions with com-
ets and asteroids, something that, fortunately,
slowed down dramatically about 4 billion years
ago. This means that what we have here is what
we get, at least until we start mining celestial ob-
jects for water and minerals, a project far in the
future.
Since desalination is extremely costly, using
ocean water is not a short-term solution.
The short-term solution is more awareness and
a mindset open to change at the individual, as
well as the industrial and agricultural level.
Did you know that:
1. 394 million people in Latin America and the
Caribbean are without water access
2. 358 million people in Africa are without wa-
ter access
3. 195 million people in Southeast, East Asia
and Oceania are without water access
4. 9 million people are without water access in
developed countries
5. More than 840,000 people die from a water-
related disease each year. That could be from
diarrhea caused by dirty drinking water,
hygiene and sanitation. It translates to 2,300
deaths per day.
6. It takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to
produce 1 pound of meat, while a pound of
wheat uses 25 gallons.
7. About 750 million people do not have access
to clean water, which is approximately 1 in
every 9 people
8. There are more people with a mobile phone
than access to a toilet.
9. Women and children spend 140 million hours
collecting fresh water every day.
10. The amount of safe water could drop by 40
percent in 15 years if people do not change
the way they use water.
World Water
Day 2015

7. e-Source Page 7January-April 2015
World Water Day is marked on 22 March every year. It’s a day to celebrate
water. It’s a day to make a difference for the members of the global population
who suffer from water related issues. It’s a day to prepare for how we manage
water in the future.
In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March as the first
World Water Day. Now, 22 years later, World Water Day is celebrated around
the world shining the spotlight on a different issue
every year.
In 2015, the theme for World Water Day was 'Water and Sustainable Develop-
ment'. It was about how water links to all areas we need to consider, for us to be
able to create the future we want.
Each year, UN Water provides resources to inspire celebrations for World Wa-
ter Day.
World Water Day 2015
was ‘A day to celebrate,
to change and to prepare
“The World Meteorological Or-
ganization, as the successor of the
International Meteorological Or-
ganization, created in 1873, has its
fundamental mission to support
the countries of the world in pro-
viding meteorological and hydro-
logical services to protect life and
property from natural disasters
related to weather, climate and
water, as well as to safeguard the
environment and to contribute to
sustainable development.
“This cannot happen without the
necessary observations, research and
operations that develop the under-
standing and knowledge of weather
and climate.
“Since 1961, World Meteorological
Day has commemorated the coming
into force on 23 March 1950 of the
Convention establishing the World
Meteorological Organization and
the essential contribution that Na-
tional Meteorological and Hydro-
logical Services make to the safety
and wellbeing of society. “Each year,
the celebrations focus on a theme of
topical interest.
‘Climate
Knowledge for
Climate Action!’
Following is the full text of the Message
from M. Jarraud, Secretary General of
the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO), on the occasion of “World
Meteorological Day 2015 on the theme:
“Climate Knowledge for Climate Action”
“The theme of this year, “Cli-
mate knowledge for climate ac-
tion”, could not be timelier, as
the international community
moves towards ambitious deci-
sions and action to address cli-
mate change.”
Michel Jarraud
Saint Lucia joined the rest of the World in commemorating World Wetland day
on February 2nd.
The theme for world wetlands day 2015 was Wetlands for Our Future. This
theme was designed to emphasize the importance of wetlands for:
• Purifying and replenishing the worlds’ precious fresh water resources,
• Providing fish nursery sites
• Providing protection for our vulnerable coastlines,
• Performing as a natural sponge against floods and droughts,
• The storage of Carbon,
• Sustaining a biodiversity rich ecosystem
According to the RAMSAR convention on wetlands, to which St. Lucia is sig-
natory, 64% of the worlds’ wetlands have disappeared and the remaining 36%
are in jeopardy of succumbing to the same fate.
With the world now focused on Climate Change, our wetlands should be fore-
most in our minds as a means of mitigating its impact.
Wetlands, especially mangroves, bind the shoreline together, which prevents
erosion, and slows storm surges thereby increasing our resilience to Climate
Change.
In Saint Lucia, our wetlands and mangroves are also under threat with inter
alia the increase in the demand for coastal lands for development.
The value of our wetlands as a natural protector of coastal erosion and a nurs-
ery site for fish which sustains our fishing industry falls a distant second to the
perceived value of allowing development which decimates these very fragile
ecosystems.
Deforestation and the indiscriminate disposal of garbage within the wetlands
also threaten the health of the wetlands.
Moreover, garbage is a problem in approximately 90% of our wetlands, this
problem is further compounded because this garbage comprises mainly plastic.
Another worrying issue is the Increasing deforestation in biodiversity rich wet-
lands such as Grand Anse and Mankote which contain more than 100 species of
flora and 30 species of fauna that are mainly birds.
These ecosystems need our intervention if they are going to survive. Small per-
sonal decisions would go a long way in getting our wetlands back to a condition
that would allow all of us to reap the benefits of its natural protective functions.
Some of the measures that we can personally commit to are educating our-
selves and others on the benefits that wetlands provide and avoid harmful prac-
tices such as garbage disposal in the wetlands.
Remember: collective action provides collective rewards.
(For further information contact Mrs. Rebecca Rock at 468-5656)
Ministry of Sustainable
Development and
Forestry observed World
Wetlands Day 2015
The National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) launched its
World Water Day Activities a fortnight ahead, at The Authority’s Main
Office on the Carenage.
The intimate gathering was nothing short of spectacular as attendees
were provided with information on activities organized by the Authority
in observance of World Water Day which was celebrated globally on Sun-
day March 22nd, 2015.
The Welcome Remarks were done by General Manager Mr. Christopher
Husbands who implored on participants to understand the importance of
water sustainability.
Continued on Page 10
Grenada’s NAWASA
sponsoring six months of 2015
World Water Day activities
NAWASA General Manager Mr. Christopher Husbands

8. e-SourcePage 8 January-April 2015
Neville Warner, born 24th November 1966, started working on 8th August
1986 – at age 20. He died on 4th April 2015 in the position of Water Distribution
Foreman. The following tribute to him was delivered at his funeral on April
24th was delivered by Mr Emile Duberry, former Water Manager of the Mont-
serrat Utilities Limited and former Director of CAWASA. He is now a member
of the Board of Directors of the Montserrat Utilities Ltd.
I worked with Warner for a significant portion of his time with the Montser-
rat Water Authority and now Montserrat Utilities Limited. I left the utility in
July 2014 but returned in October 2014 as a member of the Board of Directors.
On behalf of the Board of the Montserrat Utilities Limited, the former staff of
the Montserrat Water Authority and the current staff of Montserrat Utilities
Limited, I wish to extend to the family of Neville “Bill” Warner our heartfelt
condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, father, son, family mem-
ber and friend.
In giving tribute to Mr. Warner, many of his colleagues describe him as a
good leader, a motivator, a true friend. Those who were not close to him often
thought there was an air of detachment about him but those in his inner circle
knew that under the stern demeanour lay the most sardonic sense of humour
that was often unexpected and never failed to bring cheer to those exposed to
his particular sense of humour.
Neville (Bill) Warner began his employment with Montserrat Water Author-
ity on August 8th 1986 at the tender age of 20, having just graduated from the
Montserrat Technical College. He was appointed to the position of Assistant
Pump Operator/Welder.
Over the years, he has held a number of positions including Assistant Plumb-
er, Assistant Mechanic, and most recently, Foreman, Water Distribution. Prior
to the volcanic crisis, he supported the Distribution Foreman for the Northern
part of the island. A position that he would, in short order, make his substan-
tive role.
Bill was pro-active and very receptive to continued learning. He participat-
ed in many training courses, many that he proposed and others that were re-
quired for his progression and promotion to include Welding, Customer Rela-
tions and Water and Sewage Plant Operation and Maintenance.
He was also successful at completing up to Level 3, Water Distribution Oper-
ator Certification Programme; a standardized Water Certification programme
overseen by the American Water Association and managed by the Caribbean
Basin Water Management Programme in St. Lucia. With this certification he
would have been able to take up a senior position with any water utility in the
Caribbean or USA.
Montserrat Water Authority merged with Montserrat Electricity Services
Limited to become Montserrat Utilities Limited in 2008 and Bill continued as
Water Distribution Foreman in the new organisation.
The Water Distribution team de-
scribes him as a supervisor who on
a daily basis urged them on in their
work and was always willing and
ready to offer encouragement and
motivation when they were not feel-
ing prepared to work.
His motivation style was different
for each member of his team and they
would cheerfully say that his unique
sense of humour always got him the
desired result – the team working
willingly to achieve its goals.
While Bill was part of the technical
team, the administrative staff were
also the recipients of his talent for
practical jokes and bland humour.
Over the last few weeks stories of his
interactions with staff have proved to
be the support and impetus for help-
ing us get back on our feet.
Regrettably, we may not have told
Bill all that we are saying today. We
often times focus so fixedly on the
things that require improvement that
we overlook the wholesome qualities
that are commendable. Such quali-
ties made him a motivator, an in-
spiration and a wonderful friend to
many of his colleagues.
His sudden passing should be a les-
son to us (individually and collective-
ly) to preserve the good memories and
highlight the merits of those around
us, family, friends and acquaintances,
and lovingly embrace and support
them through the difficult times that
are part of each of our lives.
Bill, to say we will miss you would
be an understatement. We wish that
you could hear us when we say, your
boots will be difficult to fill. You
Neville Warner: Born 24th November
1966 and departed 4th April 2015
were a unique individual and mov-
ing forward without you is a task we
do not look forward to but we take
comfort in the words of Romans
14:7-9 “For none of us lives to him-
self, and none of us dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord,
and if we die, we die to the Lord. So
then, whether we live or whether we
die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end
Christ died and lived again, that he
might be Lord both of the dead and
of the living.”
To Bill’s wife, sons, father, sisters,
brothers and all other members of
his extended family, and his friends,
please know that we today celebrate
the life of your loved one and in the
words of the Hebrew Proverb “Say
not in grief he is no more, but live in
thankfulness that he was”.
Montserrat Water Workers and Utility Managers remember ‘Bill Warner’
Grenadians and the Eastern Caribbean will on
Monday 18th May 2015 bid a final farewell to a giant
of the water and sewerage sector, Raymond Arnold
Noel, a Grenadian by birth, passed away quietly at
his home in Grenada late last week at the age of 88.
Mr. Noel served the Government and people of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines and in particular, the
CWSA with distinction during a watershed period
in the history of the Institution.
A USA trained water resource and sanitary engineer
and a member of the Institute of Public Health Engi-
neers, Mr. Noel came to St. Vincent through the Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO) in December
1983 at the request of the Board of Directors, to serve as
Manager/Water Engineer consultant at a critical time
when the Water Authority (CWSA) was introducing
the first phase of its important metering project.
For the ensuing period 1983 to 1986, Raymond
Noel working alongside Robert France, straddled
two Boards of Directors and teamed up with Hobbs
Huggins and then with Monty Maule in contribut-
ing immensely to the significant turnaround in the
fortunes of the CWSA.
Apart from his primary responsibility of imple-
menting the first time metering project for SVG. Mr.
Noel was also asked to restructure the engineering
division within the CWSA. Because of the respect he
commanded, his people skills and his no-nonsense
style of management; he was able to achieve a re-
structured and forward looking engineering division
by May of 1984. It is important to note that the core
of that structure still exists today within the CWSA.
Some other notable achievements at the CWSA
during his tenure were the successful Union nego-
tiations, in the midst of industrial action by employ-
ees in early 1984, the production of computerized
bills in March 1984, followed by the appointment
of the first Public Relations Officer, Lemuel Ottley
in July 1984. He also prepared the way for a young
Daniel Cummings to succeed him as manager, in-
cluding securing graduate level training for him in
the USA, just as he himself had done almost twenty
five years earlier.
A TRIBUTE TO RAYMOND NOEL
Mr. Noel also worked as Water Engineer/Manag-
er at the Grenada Water Authority and at the CARI-
COM Secretariat in Guyana. In recognition for his
service to the water and sanitation sectors, he was
the recipient of the Caribbean Water and Wastewa-
ter Association Gold Award in 1997, an organiza-
tion which he co-founded in the early I 990’s. He
was also awarded the MBE in Grenada in January
2012 for his outstanding public service.
The Board, management and Staff of the CWSA,
on behalf of the Government and people of St. Vin-
cent and the Grenadines, extend sincere condolenc-
es to the relatives of this outstanding Caribbean son.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Garth Sanders
Manager CWSA
Raymond Noel
General Manager CWSA 1983-1986
Minister
commends Saint
Lucians for
positive response
to 2nd National
Water Emergency!
Continued on Page 13
As the island continues to suffer the conse-
quences of one of its worst droughts in recent
years, Saint Lucia’s Water Minister is com-
mending citizens for responding positively to
calls for conservation, while calling for more
prudent management of the island’s very
scarce water resources.
Public service, Sustainable Development and
Energy Minister Senator Dr James ‘Jimmy’ Fletch-
er, who has responsibility for water, says Global
Warming has resulted in worsening droughts the
world over -- and for Saint Lucia, the dry weath-
er, coupled with depleting reservoirs, necessitates
strong water conservation measures.
Not since 2010 has the island faced such per-
sistently serious drought conditions, which last
year resulted in the designation of a National
Water-0related Emergency by the Government.
“Brown is the new green,” noted Alison Kent-
ish, a reporter with HTS, one of the island’s
oldest private TV stations, pointing to the ex-
cessive dryness that covers most landed areas.
Much of the dryness is also the result of a
record number of bush and backyard fires re-
ported by the St. Lucia Fire Service so far this
year – like never before.
The excessive island-wide dryness is further
exacerbated by the pressures on the water sys-
tem related to the over-siltation at the Sir John

9. e-Source Page 9January-April 2015
1
The Government of Mexico has awarded a grant of US $5 million towards the imple-
mentation and commissioning of the Dennery Water Supply Redevelopment Project in
Saint Lucia.
The project will provide residents of the east coast village with a reliable water supply.
The project encompasses water intake construction and raw water transmission, wa-
ter treatment plant construction and commissioning, installation of storage tanks for
treated water, installation of pumping facilities and network distribution upgrades.
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been a key partner of the
Mexican Government to oversee the operation of the project.
The project will benefit residents of La Caye, Grande Riviere, Mabouya Valley and
Morne Panache.
The planned commencement of the project is for the third quarter for 2015, while con-
struction will begin towards the end of the year. It is estimated to last for 18 months.
Mexico funding community
water in St. Lucia
Managing Director for Saint Lucia’s Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO),
Vincent Hippolyte, has said that planned upgrades to the Vieux Fort water facil-
ity in the island’s south will satisfy demand for water until 2033.
The Vieux Fort Water Supply Redevelopment Project will outfit the facility with
three new pumping stations, three new storage tanks and three new transmission
lines.
"If all goes according to schedule, by the third quarter of this year [there should
be] a contractor on site to begin work," Hippolyte says.
"The components of the project involve two intakes and a water treatment
plant with the capacity to produce 8.4 million gallons of water a day, which will
satisfy demand up to the year 2033."
The project will also address issues with non-revenue water, water efficiency
and audit, and watershed management.
Vieux-Fort upgrade to supply
water demand until 2033
Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Tech-
nology, and the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) have signed a
cooperation agreement with the Syndicat Intercommunal du Centre et du Sud
de la Martinique (SCISM), which resulted in the receipt of a European Union
(EU) grant of 347,587 Euros.
The agreement, which falls under the 10th European Development Fund ACP-
EU Water Facility, will assist WASCO with capacity development in its water
and wastewater sectors through an intra-regional Water Operators Partnership
(WOP) Program with SCISM.
Saint Lucia’s delegation to the signing was led by Senator Dr. James Fletcher,
who stressed the importance of enabling a sustainable water and wastewater
sector in Saint Lucia for national economic growth and development.
The assistance is intended to achieve four goals. It will acquire the methodol-
ogy and tools to develop a master plan for water and waste-water, as well as
improve asset management.
In addition, it will prepare guidelines and orientations for a risk management
plan, including disaster preparedness, crisis management and resilience.
The assistance will also develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for procuring ser-
vices to address deficiencies identified during the preparation of the methodol-
ogy for the master plans.
Signatories flash their copies of the agreement after signing in Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia’s Water Sector to
benefit from EU grant
Consumers of water in Dominica have been called upon to conserve water dur-
ing the current dry season also known as ‘kawem’ in local parlance.
Several Caribbean countries including Antigua, St Lucia and Jamaica are cur-
rently experiencing drought.
General Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited
(DOWASCO) Bernard Ettinoffe says Dominica is now experiencing a decrease
in volumes of water at some intakes across the country.
“In some areas, the availability of water is less than it would normally be, per-
sons in these areas are affected by intermittent disruption because of the levels
in some of the intakes”.
Mr Ettinoffe informed, however, that DOWASCO continues to supply water in
all the communities despite the decrease in water volumes.
“What we are in fact doing at this moment is advising persons to assist us in
conserving the supply of water available at this time,” Ettinoffe said. He also
advised persons to avoid watering their lawns in an effort to conserve water.
According to the DOWASCO Chief, “We understand that people love to have
their grass looking green and so it is beautiful, but when the rains come it will
look very green and beautiful”.
He continued, “Rather than have a hose running by the car not even being
used, we are suggesting to people to use a bucket to wash the car and clean the
car with less than half of the water you would normally use when water is in
abundance,” he said.
He advised people to do more sweeping instead of hosing down the concrete
when cleaning their yards.
Mr. Ettinoffe said although Dominica is not in a crisis situation -- unlike neigh-
boring countries like St. Lucia and Antigua -- the need to conserve water is critical.
He said Dominica is in a position to assist affected countries experiencing
drought with the exportation of water.
Meanwhile, Ettinoffe announced that the dry spell will not force an increase in
the water rates.
Now that Dominica is only 2% away from achieving full access to potable wa-
ter, the task now is to manage this invaluable resource.
General Manager of Dominica Water And Sewerage Company, (DOWASCO),
Bernard Etinoffe, says Government has already set policies in place that focus on
conserving the resource to ensure sustainability.
He explains, “We have a draft policy document, a Water Resource Manage-
ment Policy document that has been submitted to Government. We have to re-
visit that document.
“We have to look at what changes are necessary at this point in time to that
document. This will give us the direction in which we need to go to preserve
our water resource to ensure that we use it wisely now and have it for future
generations.”
Dominica’s Roosevelt Skerrit Administration believes the environmental ben-
efits to the island by the forest reserves are many. Government’s policy is to
ensure the preservation of the nation’s forest reserves, while benefitting from its
productive capacity.
Since 2000, an Environmental Policy was established and the Dominica Labour
Party Government has put in place a Ministry of Environment which is charged
with the responsibility of preserving and protecting the nature island.
Etinoffe noted, however, that there must be an integrated approach for success.
“It is something that is not only DOWASCO related but the entire country has
to get on-board including Government, the Environmental Health Department,
the Ministry of Health, forestry, agriculture, the schools and the farmers. It basi-
cally calls for an integrated approach where everybody will look at what is hap-
pening to the resource.”
He says an analysis has to be done to find out why the nation’s resources are
significantly less than they were a few years ago. He says, “We have to do that
self-analysis and then determine what we need to do to preserve the resource.”
Etinoffe adds that all must be “vigilant in monitoring the country’s forests all
the time ensuring that there is no felling of trees in water catchment areas and
ensuring that there is no pollution by farming activities or otherwise in the wa-
ter courses of the country.”
To drive his message home, the Dowasco Manager gave examples of deforesta-
tion in countries such as Haiti and the scarcity of water of nearby St. Lucia.
He says Dominica is fortunate that early action was taken by the Government
to preserve the forest reserves on the island.
“We have a large forest reserve but we have to ensure that nothing adversely
happens in hat reserve that will negatively affect the water resource. And so it
is part of our mandate going forward and we are working towards that,” he
concluded.
‘Kawem” hits Dominica
DOWASCO urges citizens to conserve water
DOWASCO Talks Sustainability of
Dominica’s Water Resource

10. e-SourcePage 10 January-April 2015
The Water and Sewage Company
(WASCO) has enlisted the help of
the German International Develop-
ment Agency (GIZ), to provide prac-
tical support to Saint Lucia to reduce
water loss and improve efficiency.
WASCO Strategic Planning Offi-
cer, John Sealy, says the company
is plagued by substantial losses
in non-revenue water, which ac-
counts for 56%.
“According to reports, we are un-
able to account for 56% of the water
entering our system,” he said. “It
means you don’t get billed for all
of the water which enters your sys-
tem and we in turn do not get rev-
enue from it. Anything that is not
billed is literally going to waste. It
is termed non revenue water.”
This is not a situation particular
to Saint Lucia. Water utility com-
panies worldwide strive to reduce
the gap between the volume of wa-
ter they supply and that which is
billed to consumers.
Non-Revenue Water (NRW) con-
stitutes between 25 and 50 percent of
the total water distributed globally.
GIZ Program Head Dr. Hortz Mi-
chael Vogel said the agency will
assist WASCO in meeting its chal-
lenges, having assisted with other
national initiatives.
“Our cooperation with WASCO
began in the area of continuous
sediment management at the John
Compton Dam in Roseau.
The collaboration continued
with other institutions like the
Ministry of Finance on the reha-
bilitation of the Saint Jude Hos-
pital in Vieux-Fort, as well as the
redevelopment of the water sup-
ply in Vieux-Fort and Dennery,”
Dr Vogel said.
He added that the steps they have
taken to improve the operations
and service delivery of the Water
and Sewage Company (WASCO)
are progressing steadily.
The alliance between WASCO and
GIZ endeavours to significantly
lower water losses resulting in the
economic viability and sustainabil-
ity of WASCO. Further information
on water losses can be obtained at
www.waterlossreduction.com.
WASCO aims for sustainability
through German partnership
Busted pipes are a serious cause for concern to WASCO and other
Caribbean water utilities as it’s a major source of water loss, especially
due to human intervention.
The Water and Sewage Company
(WASCO) is now one step closer to the
start in its plan to de-silt and rehabili-
tate the John Compton Dam.
Aly Anthony, Senior Manager of
Utilities Services, Planning and Design
at WASCO, said proposals to address
siltation at the John Compton Dam
have been submitted to the Caribbean
Development Bank for review and ap-
proval.
Following approval, a survey and
analysis that will dictate the progres-
sion of the de-silting process will begin.
“The study will look at the problem
we are experiencing at the dam at a ho-
listic level,” Anthony said.
He added, “This includes the catch-
ment, the dam structure, the problem
with de-silting, and even the socio-
economic impact of the project on the
Millet and Vannard communities.
“In essence, the study will inform the
next stage of operations.”
The study will also determine the
depth, and analyze the chemical com-
position of the silt for disposal pur-
poses.
The silt may contain heavy metal con-
taminants or hydrocarbons from road
runoff, Anthony explained, which are
hazardous and therefore cannot be
spread to land without remedy.
De-silting of the dam is slated to be-
gin next year.
Meanwhile, WASCO has already en-
gaged key stakeholders in a consulta-
tion on the de-silting and Rehabilita-
tion study, which allowed stakeholders
to provide input into the preparation of
the de-silting project.
Chairman of WASCO, Egbert Louis,
said the study takes into account sev-
eral variables.
He also said Phase One involves the
preparation of a de-silting project.
The first phase also assesses the im-
pacts of the proposed solutions on the
environment and surrounding com-
munities, while the road network and
the dam structure will be comprehen-
sively analyzed during this study.
One of the main outputs of Phase
One will be a document which will
prescribe a plan for addressing the de-
silting of the dam.”
The study will be undertaken by the
Canadian firm Golder Associates in co-
operation with local firms.
Golder Associates representative, Dr.
Michael Bender, highlighted the objec-
tive of the study, saying: “We intend to
work closely with WASCO to develop
a comprehensive plan.”
He also said “The plan will achieve
three things. It aims to restore the reli-
ability of the water supply; to do that
in an economically viable way; and to
do it in an environmental and sociable
way.”
The first phase of the project com-
menced at the end of September 2014.
De-silting of Roseau Dam
starting soon!
Accumulated debris and lack of adequate maintenance over several
years resulted in serious siltation of the Roseau Dam, the island’s
largest, forcing the government to embark on emergency measures to
secure the island’s water supply.
Continued from Page 7
According to Mr Husbands, “This year’s
theme Water and Sustainable Development
re-emphasises the fact that water is a scarce
resource and needs to be managed effectively.
“NAWASA has been encouraging persons
to practice water storage which is only one
aspect of sustainability, but an important one
at that. We have always recognized that stu-
dents are agents of change in their own way,
get them on board and you have information
sharing for life.
“We are happy that our activities target
schools specifically and will add value to Gre-
nada’s education system in 2015 and beyond.”
Most activities planned by the Authority re-
volved around the nation’s schools, with spe-
cific focus on Water Storage and Rain Water
Harvesting. (The Ministry of Education & Hu-
man Resource Development endorsed the pro-
grammes.)
Mrs. Merryl Lord, Education Officer with re-
sponsibility for District 4 represented the Min-
istry at today’s launch. Her presentation was
timely, as she spoke about “Ensuring that water
is sustainable is a difficult task, but one in which
our children play a major role.
“Teaching them the importance of water now
and encouraging them to practice what they are
taught will no doubt pave the water availability
in the future.
“We at the Ministry of Education is happy to
support this thrust by NAWASA and applauds
the team for their efforts at involving the nation’s
students in their activities.”
The Authority’s 2015 activities received major
financial support from GIZ, a German based or-
ganization that focuses on climate change adap-
tation.
The Head of the German – Grenadian Pilot Pro-
gramme Mr. Dieter Rothenberger said “As an
organisation that prioritises climate change ad-
aptation and water as a renewable resource, we
are absolutely delighted to provide support to
NAWASA.”
NAWASA’s Communications Officer Jamila
Lewis, made a full presentation on the activi-
ties organized by the Authority giving high ac-
colade to a project that she described as “very
dear to their heart” - a community based ini-
tiative called Tap Close – School Open.
“No more will a school in Grenada, Carria-
cou & Petite Martinique has to close their door
because of the lack of water.
“NAWASA and its partners will ensure
that all schools in the tri – island state have
functional storage facilities by September of
this year. Education is a right…and so too
is clean potable water, at all times in our
schools.”
NAWASA Water Warz, Pre-Primary and Pri-
mary School Jingle Competition are other ac-
tivities that target the nation’s schools. The reg-
istration period for all activities is now officially
opened and schools can access the Authority’s
website and Social Media platform for more in-
formation and registration forms.
For domestic & commercial customers, the
popular Free Reconnection Programmes
which involves waiving the reconnection fee
will take place for one day only – Thursday
April 2nd, 2015 subject to a number of terms
and conditions.
Activities for World Water Day in Grenada
will span a period of six months culminating in
the month of September when the United Na-
tions celebrates International Water Week.
Grenada’s NAWASA sponsoring six months of
2015 World Water Day activities

11. e-Source Page 11January-April 2015
The Caribbean Desalination Association (Carib-
DA) will hold a workshop on “Back to Basics and
Innovations on Potable Water, Wastewater Reuse
and Desalination” in Cancun, Mexico on June 2-3,
2015 at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach
Cancun Resort & Spa.
Several topics will be covered during four sessions
over the two days of meeting.
Session 1 will examine “Water - A Sustainable Re-
source”, with topics including The Water Cycle &
Its Importance, Water Sustainability in the State of
Quintana Roo Mexico, Chemistry: It’s Importance
in Water Treatment, Desalination and Water Con-
ditioning upon Process Needs
Session 2 will look at “Water Treatment Technolo-
gies” and the topics included: Treatment Process
for Wells & Surface Brackish Water, Domestic
Waste Water Treatment Process, TWWTP in Gua-
najuato (Mexico), Water Reuse Using MBR Mem-
branes, Water Reuse in Perlya Mining R.D. and Wa-
ter Administration within the Plant.
Session 3 will address “Water Desalination Tech-
nologies” and the topics were: Reverse Osmosis &
Nanofiltration, SWRO System Design, Upgrading/
Re-Designing Desalination Plants and Impact on
Brine Discharge on Bentonic Communities (Case
Study Desalting Plant in La Chimba, Chile)
Finally, Session 4 will consider “New Trends &
Materials” and topics for this final session were: En-
ergy Recovery Devices, Infastructure Repairs Using
Chemical Grouts, Microfiltration/Ultrafiltration,
CEDI/EDI Ionization Electrode, CEI Analytical In-
novation to Troubleshooting Membrane Systems
and Forward Osmosis.
About CaribDa
The Caribbean Desalination Association (Carib-
DA) is a non-profit organization that represents
members/sponsors from the Caribbean desalina-
tion and water reuse communities, utilities, indus-
tries, academia and government, as well as individ-
uals interested in water supply improvement in the
Caribbean, specifically by means of desalination or
water reuse.
CaribDA welcomes interest from NGO’s and stu-
dents from all disciplines interested in desalination
and water reuse.
In addition, any person, firm, agency, or corpora-
tion from all over the world having ties or personal
or commercial interest or aspirations in the region,
engaged or interested in desalination or water reuse
is eligible to become a General Member/Sponsor of
the Association, subject to acceptance by the Board.
CaribDA will encourage communication and liai-
sons with other water treatment associations in the
region (i.e. CWWA, Global Water Partnership).
The Caribbean leading by example
Producing fresh water from seawater by means of
evaporators has been taking place commercially in
Curacao since 1928, making the Caribbean among
the first in the world to do so.
The Caribbean, joining forces now, for the future
Most Caribbean islands share the same unique
challenges. Specifically with regard to providing
pure and healthy potable water for their inhabitants,
many islands depend largely on desalination.
Havingsimilarhistoricalandculturalbackgrounds,
geographical positions and with low resources com-
bined with high energy costs, the Association was
formed to share experiences, information, opera-
tional data, technical standards and other resources;
work together to improve the quality and quantity
of potable water; and lower the costs of production
through application of desalination technology and
water reuse in the Caribbean.
CaribDA is a platform for desalination and water
reuse owners, designers and operators and others
involved or having an interest in desalination and
water reuse.
An initiative born on Curaçao
In 2008, Curaçao celebrated the 80th anniversary of
its commercial desalination operations. The island
has been among the technology’s pioneers. Aqualec-
tra, which is the company currently responsible for
the island’s water and energy supply,took this op-
portunity to start the Caribbean Desalination Asso-
ciation as a forum for Desalination and water reuse.
Aqualectra officially incorporated the Caribbean
Desalination Association on October 22nd, 2007.
CaribDA was launched during a ceremony in Cura-
cao followed by a conference and General Members
meeting, on June 4th, 2008. The first elected Board
took seat on June 4th, 2008 and presented the Strate-
gic Plan 2008-2013
.
UPCOMING
GEF/CReW
EVENTS
CaribDa Mexico workshop to examine Returning to Basics and Embracing
New Innovations for Potable Water, Wastewater Reuse and Desalination
Regional and International stakeholders collaborated to host
Sanitation and Wastewater Professionals
The Global Environment Facility-fundedCaribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater
Management (GEF-CReW) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
collaborated with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Water and
Sewerage Association Inc. (CAWASA) to convene a one-week workshop on Governance
and Sanitation in Antigua and Barbuda, 23rd– 27th February, 2015.
The Workshop was a follow-up to an eightweek online course in Governance and Ur-
ban Sanitation which was run by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research
(UNITAR) and successfully completed by thirty-eight professionals from water and sew-
erage companies and health ministries, from 17 of the CDB’s borrowing member coun-
tries. Their participation was funded by the CDB in keeping with its poverty reduction
goal and its Climate Resilience Strategy. The online course focused on enhancing the
capacity of sanitation professionals in relation to decision-making and investments in the
area of urban sanitation. It provided analytical tools to help participants understand the
financial and institutional frameworks of the sanitation sector, taking into account the
needs of urban poor communities.
The Workshop aimed to build additional capacity in areas such as gender; climate
change; use of wastewater as a resource; and monitoring and evaluation. Presenters in-
cluded experienced wastewater sector specialists who have worked in the areas of gen-
der mainstreaming, climate change, financing, and technology development.
The issue of sanitation and wastewater management in the Caribbean is a very ne-
glected one. The CDB, CAWASA, UNEP and the GEF CReW Project in organizing this
workshop, placed up front the need to deal with the institutional and financial chal-
lenges, gender and climate change issues that affect the sector.
Sanitation professionals were provided with an overview of the state of the sector in
their respective countries as well as with information on the skills and tools used for
planning investments and decision-making to help them to identify actions that could
contribute to improvements in the sector.
Changing this situation will require Caribbean countries to make the issue of sanitation
and wastewater management a greater priority. Training professionals in the sector, the
goal of this Workshop, is both necessary and of increasing urgency.
Argent Tillett of Belize
receives certification from
Timica Richards of APUA
Algy Jarvis-Johns of Suriname
receives certificate from Maurice
Jones, Workshop Facilitator
Rushell-Kay Ricketts of Jamaica
receives certificate from
Stephen Lawrence of CDB
Carol Gill of Barbados
receives certificate from
Christopher Corbin of UNEP

12. e-SourcePage 12 January-April 2015
The sports clubs of the Saint Lucia Electricity Ser-
vices Limited (LUCELEC) and the Water and Sew-
erage Company (WASCO) combined to host the
26th Annual Caribbean Utility Employees Asso-
ciation (CUEA) Easter Festival in Saint Lucia from
April 2 to 6.
The Easter festival is held annually in a different
member country and normally results in economic
benefit from the influx of over 300 visitors to the
chosen destination.
The festival also normally includes the CUEA an-
nual general meeting, a community project, island
tours, a sports day, a cookout, costume party, cul-
tural and social nights, and a shopping day.
Participants viewed presentations by local carni-
val bands and by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board on
the St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, with a view to
offering special packages and incentives to encour-
age their return to the island.
The theme for this year’s festival “Unity in Utili-
ties” is in line with the mandate of the CUEA to
bring employees of Caribbean utilities together to
engage in a series of sporting, cultural and com-
munity service activities and foster the sharing of
experiences and information among participating
islands.
The CUEA boasts a membership of eighteen utility
employee clubs from thirteen Caribbean countries,
including Jamaica, Trinidad, Saint Vincent, Barbados,
Saint Kitts, Dominica and Antigua among others.
The clubs’ membership varies among the water,
electricity and telecommunication sectors.
The event in Saint Lucia this year was sponsored
by the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LU-
CELEC), the Water and Sewerage Company (WAS-
CO), the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB), Bay Gar-
dens, Excel Signs, 4Imprint USA, The Body Holiday
LeSport, OHM International, Coconut Bay, Chemi-
co, Windward & Leeward Brewery Ltd., AMR Pipe-
line Products Company UK, Ramco Plastics, Win-
man Ltd. and St. Lucia Distillers.
Over 300 from regional utilities sported in
St. Lucia for 2015 Regional Easter Festival
Participants from the Caribbean and around the
world earlier this year celebrated the signature of
the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between
CWWA, CAWASA, PWWA and GWOPA/UN-Habi-
tat at the 7th World Water Forum in Korea.
Special thanks were however offered to all partici-
pants from the Caribbean delegations by Jose Luis
Martin Bordes, Programme Officer, GWOPA/UN-
Habitat.
In communications to CAWASA, he said “The MoU
will foster inter-regional cooperation to develop the
capacities of water and sanitation operators in these
two regions.”
He also offered “special thanks to my former col-
league Taeko Yokota, who left GWOPA very recently,
but who was instrumental in organizing this Inter-
regional Session and proposing the signature of this
MoU”.
Special thanks were also offered to CAWASA Presi-
dent Bernard Ettinoffe and CWWA President Jason
Johnson “for their presence in and contribution to our
Session in the 7th World Water Forum in Korea.”
Boosting inter-regional cooperation and capacity building
MoU signed between CWWA, CAWASA, PWWA, GWOPA/UN-Habitat,
at 7th World Water Forum in Korea
President of CAWASA Mr Bernard Ettinoffe (2nd from right with red tie) and President of CWWA Jason
Johnson (next to him with pink tie) along with other top executives of CAWASA, PWWA and GWOPA/
UN-Habitat at the 7th World Water Forum in Korea
Caribbean countries have been warned to prepare for
a drier than normal hurricane season, even as forecast-
ers say the effects of the lower rainfalls will be felt in
the dry season of 2016.
“Could it be like 2009-2010? Well, if it going to be any
of the year from now and a couple of years from now,
it is likely going to be this year,” climatologist Cèdric
Van Meerbeeck of the Caribbean Institute for Meteo-
rology and Hydrology told the Regional Climate Out-
look forum for the 2015 wet/hurricane season yester-
day.
The US-based National Oceanic Atmospheric Ad-
ministration (NOAA) is predicting six to 11 named
storms for the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season, but re-
gional disaster officials have warned Caribbean coun-
tries not to become complacent.
“What we can expect for the wet season or the hur-
ricane season — that means from today until the end of
November — is that the temperatures are going to feel
hotter than usual and that is pretty much throughout
the Caribbean,” Van Meerbeeck said yesterday.
He said, however, that the discomfort level should
not be as high, since there will be less humidity.
Van Meerbeeck said that with a drier than usual sea-
son, forecaster are already beginning to be worried
about the impact on productive sector come next dry
season, which traditionally runs from December to
May in most part of the Caribbean.
“The dry season is our tourism season. That is when
most of our water is being used not only by tourists
but also extinguishing fires, also by the farmers if they
want to irrigate. There are many sectors that consume
water in the dry season and our water reservoirs are
not recharged in the wet season, they are recharged in
the dry season before that,” he said.
“So, if our wet season is going to be drier than usual,
we are starting to be worried at this stage. But the ad-
vantage of knowing it already is that we can prepare,
we have a longer time to prepare for that severe dry
season that we probably are going to have next year,”
Van Meerbeeck said.
He said the drier conditions will mean fewer show-
ers, and wet spells, and, in total, less rainfall accumu-
lating for much of the region, except The Bahamas.
“The Bahamas behaves a bit differently when we
are in a state of El Niño,” Van Meerbeeck said of the
warming of the Pacific waters near the equator that
affects weather condition in the Caribbean and other
parts of the world.
“In El Niño, what you see is that the conditions in the
atmosphere lead to less showers, less thunderstorm,
less tropical showers and cyclones, in the main, the
Antilles islands and in The Guianas and in Belize to
a certain level, but, in The Bahamas, you get a certain
effect, you get more showers. So that part will be wet-
ter,” Van Meerbeeck said.
The two-day meeting brought together weather fore-
casters, disaster managers, and other officials from 25
countries and territories from across the Caribbean.
It was organised by Caribbean Institute for Meteorol-
ogy and Hydrology and forms part of the Caribbean
Climate Outlook Forum, which meets every year at the
beginning of the dry and wet seasons. (CMC)
Forecasters say effects of drier 2015 rainy season will actually be felt next year

13. e-SourcePage 12 January-April 2015
The Water Authority in Our Community
The Authority strives to be an example of good corporate citizen-
ship in the Cayman Islands by participating in and contributing to
a variety of charitable events and initiatives. Take a look at some of
the ways in which the Authority has given back to the community
in 2015 so far!
The Authority participated in the Cayfest 2015 Dress For Culture Day
to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up the Cayman Islands’ com-
munity. Employees also dressed down in purple to support Big Brothers
Big Sisters and the vital role it plays in empowering local youth.
The Authority also demonstrated its commitment to education by spon-
soring the 2015 Rotary Central Science Fair and participating in the STEM
Carib 2015 Conference.
Meanwhile, the Authority confirmed its commitment to a healthy nat-
ural environment by participating in and sponsoring the Chamber of
Commerce 2015 Earth Day Clean-Up.
The Authority also sponsored a bed in the Rotary Sunrise 2015 Bed Race
to eradicate polio and, earlier in the year, donated funds raised through
its annual Project Angel Tree to Cayman HospiceCare.
ty
nt
,
ox 1104 Grand Cayman KY1-1102 Cayman Islands Tel: (345) 949-2837 Fax: (345) 949-0094 Email info@waterau
CAYMAN BRAC P.O. Box 240 Cayman Brac KY2-2002 Cayman Islands Tel: (345) 948-1403 Fax: (345) 948-1
The Water Authority in Our C
The Authority strives to be an example of good corporate citizenship in the Cay
and contributing to a variety of charitable events and initiatives. Take a look at
Authority has given back to the community in 2015 so far!
The Authority participated in
the Cayfest 2015 Dress For Culture
Day to celebrate the diverse
cultures that make up the Cayman
Islands’ community. Employees
also dressed down in purple to
support Big Brothers Big Sisters
and the vital role it plays in
empowering local youth.
The Authority also
demonstrated its commitment to
education by sponsoring the 2015
Rotary Central Science Fair and
participating in the STEM Carib
2015 Conference.
Meanwhile, the Authority
confirmed its commitment to a
healthy natural environment by
parti
Cham
Day C
T
bed i
Race
in th
throu
Tree
y
t
x 1104 Grand Cayman KY1-1102 Cayman Islands Tel: (345) 949-2837 Fax: (345) 949-0094 Email info@water
CAYMAN BRAC P.O. Box 240 Cayman Brac KY2-2002 Cayman Islands Tel: (345) 948-1403 Fax: (345) 948
The Water Authority in Our C
The Authority strives to be an example of good corporate citizenship in the Ca
and contributing to a variety of charitable events and initiatives. Take a look a
Authority has given back to the community in 2015 so far!
The Authority participated in
the Cayfest 2015 Dress For Culture
Day to celebrate the diverse
cultures that make up the Cayman
Islands’ community. Employees
also dressed down in purple to
support Big Brothers Big Sisters
and the vital role it plays in
empowering local youth.
The Authority also
demonstrated its commitment to
education by sponsoring the 2015
Rotary Central Science Fair and
participating in the STEM Carib
2015 Conference.
Meanwhile, the Authority
confirmed its commitment to a
healthy natural environment by
par
Cha
Day
bed
Rac
in
thr
Tre
@waterauthority.ky www.waterauthority.ky
45) 948-1404
r Community
the Cayman Islands by participating in
look at some of the ways in which the
s
f
u
e
t
Customer Service Representatives.
Cashiers will not be able to answer
any questions about a customer’s
account— which includes
questions about the account
balance or bill amount.
o
o
5
d
b
y
a
y
participating in and sponsoring the
Chamber of Commerce 2015 Earth
Day Clean-Up.
The Authority also sponsored a
bed in the Rotary Sunrise 2015 Bed
Race to eradicate polio and, earlier
in the year, donated funds raised
through its annual Project Angel
Tree to Cayman HospiceCare.
Tel: (345) 949-2837 Fax: (345) 949-0094 Email info@waterauthority.ky www.waterauthority.ky
2-2002 Cayman Islands Tel: (345) 948-1403 Fax: (345) 948-1404
Authority in Our Community
mple of good corporate citizenship in the Cayman Islands by participating in
aritable events and initiatives. Take a look at some of the ways in which the
mmunity in 2015 so far!
in
re
se
an
es
o
rs
in
The Authority also
demonstrated its commitment to
education by sponsoring the 2015
Rotary Central Science Fair and
participating in the STEM Carib
2015 Conference.
Meanwhile, the Authority
confirmed its commitment to a
healthy natural environment by
participating in and sponsoring the
Chamber of Commerce 2015 Earth
Day Clean-Up.
The Authority also sponsored a
bed in the Rotary Sunrise 2015 Bed
Race to eradicate polio and, earlier
in the year, donated funds raised
through its annual Project Angel
Tree to Cayman HospiceCare.
Tel: (345) 949-2837 Fax: (345) 949-0094 Email info@waterauthority.ky www.waterauthority.ky
2-2002 Cayman Islands Tel: (345) 948-1403 Fax: (345) 948-1404
Authority in Our Community
mple of good corporate citizenship in the Cayman Islands by participating in
haritable events and initiatives. Take a look at some of the ways in which the
mmunity in 2015 so far!
he
at
ho
on
ve
to
the bill you are paying when you
come to the Authority’s
Administrative Headquarters. If
you cannot bring the bill itself, you
should know beforehand the
account number and the amount
due to be paid.
queries should be directed to the
Customer Service Representatives.
Cashiers will not be able to answer
any questions about a customer’s
account— which includes
questions about the account
balance or bill amount.
in
re
se
an
es
to
rs
in
The Authority also
demonstrated its commitment to
education by sponsoring the 2015
Rotary Central Science Fair and
participating in the STEM Carib
2015 Conference.
Meanwhile, the Authority
confirmed its commitment to a
healthy natural environment by
participating in and sponsoring the
Chamber of Commerce 2015 Earth
Day Clean-Up.
The Authority also sponsored a
bed in the Rotary Sunrise 2015 Bed
Race to eradicate polio and, earlier
in the year, donated funds raised
through its annual Project Angel
Tree to Cayman HospiceCare.
Before the Storm
 Trim or remove trees and
shrubs close to your water
pipes and meter box
 Locate your sewer clean-
out lid and clear away any
vegetation or obstructions
 Monitor the local radio and
the Water Authority
website for important
updates
Visit us online for more,
helpful tips!
GRAND CAYMAN P.O. Box 1104 Grand Cayman KY1-1102 Cayman Islands Tel: (34
CAYMAN BRAC P.O. Box 240 Cayman Brac KY2-2002
The Water Au
The Authority strives to be an example
and contributing to a variety of charita
Authority has given back to the commu
HR Briefs
Welcome:
Gary Phillips
Engineer - Wastewater
Katreena Ebanks
Cashier Supervisor
Farewell:
Claudia Callander
HR Administrative Assistant
to access the account, the
Authority cannot give you that
information.
If you are a tenant who
regularly pays your bills in-person
at the Authority’s Administrative
Headquarters, you should seek to
th
co
Ad
yo
sh
ac
du
The Authority participated in
the Cayfest 2015 Dress For Culture
Day to celebrate the diverse
cultures that make up the Cayman
Islands’ community. Employees
also dressed down in purple to
support Big Brothers Big Sisters
and the vital role it plays in
empowering local youth.
de
ed
Ro
pa
20
co
he
Interested in learning
more about working
for the Water
Authority?
Visit us online
to learn more
about our
team!
Compton Dam at Roseau, resulting in low water levels in some areas and none in
others. The island’s water company, WASCO, earlier this year predicted the drought
conditions would persist again and undertook a forced series of measures, including
rationing in several areas island-wide, to conserve water and maintain supply.
Mains remain closed at periodic daily intervals, resulting in the temporary closure of
at least one major private girls’ secondary school after its reserve water supply ran out.
The authorities, including the Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA)
say the grave situation is likely to persist for some time – at least up to the projected
end of the emergency period.
There are the natural complaints, but the local water authorities are optimistic that
the conservation message is getting through.
Senator Fletcher says he’s encouraged by signs that people around the island are
taking measures to save water now, more than before.
He commended Saint Lucians “for responding positively” and – like everyone
else – prayed for “a little rain now and then”, even though he and others also warn
against any complacency from the few intermittent and brief showers that merely
sprinkle the overly parched surfaces. The minister noted, “The hurricane season has
started, but you’ll never believe that when you look at the weather.
“But I think people should be commended for the way they have been responding
during the emergency to our call to be more prudent in the way they use water.”
The minister warned too against “people taking water for granted in these times.”
He says it’s important not to let-up on conservation while the water authorities
explore immediate, medium and long-term water resource management measures
to address the national water situation.
According to Dr Fletcher, “The availability of water is becoming a serious issue
around the world.
“If you look at what’s been happening in California of late, the drought is also so
serious there that people are being advised not to water their lawns.”
The minister noted drought and its effects on water resources “is becoming a seri-
ous issue around the world” and “for small countries like ours, during times like
this when water is scarce, we have to pay attention to how we handle and can better
manage our water resources.”
The island’s second water-related emergency in two years was declared on May
20 and will last until July 31st 2015.
Minister commends Saint Lucians for positive response to 2nd National Water Emergency!
Continued from Page 8