The Tribune

THE Water and Sewage Corporation has signed a series of agreements with the Baha Mar mega-resort for water supply and sewage treatement.

The first agreement, a five-year deal subject to two five-year extensions, will sees the corporation guaranteeing a supply of 500,000 imperial gallons of potable water.

The second is a 15-year agreement, beginning on December 31, 2013, and subject to two five year extensions, for the supply of wastewater services to the Cable Beach development.

This will include, beginning January 1, 2015, the receipt and treatment of a guaranteed 450,000 imperial gallons of wastewater from Baha Mar and the return of a guaranteed 300,000 imperial gallons per day of water for irrigation purposes.

On May 31, the corporation issued a design/build contract to the joint venture group of Nassau Island Development Co Ltd and Emerene Engineering and Construction Co Ltd, both Bahamian firms, to design and build a 1.0 million imperial gallon per day wastewater treatment plant capable of handling incoming wastewater flows from Baha Mar and surrounding developments in the Skyline Lakes, Lake Cunningham, High Point Drive, Westridge and Gladstone Road; and capable of returning the same volume of highly treated re-use water to Baha Mar.

The value of this contract is approximately $7.5 million and the facility is expected to be fully completed and operational by March 2014, the WSC said.

“This modern facility will be operated by highly trained Bahamian personnel ensuring that the facility remains in compliance with rigid international best practices for wastewater treatment and re-use water systems,” the WSC said in a statement.

“The contractor is expected to commence work on site shortly, and during their construction peak, the contractor is expected to have approximately 150 to 200 Bahamians employed on project.

The facility is being financed by a loan to the corporation from the National Insurance Board (NIB).