The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE


Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Some 10 billion gallons of water will be saved over the decade-long project to reduce leakages from the Water and Sewerage Corporation’s infrastructure, with losses already slashed by 29 per cent.

Philip Davis, deputy prime minister and minister of works and urban development, told the House of Assembly yesterday that non-revenue water (water lost or stolen from the Corporation’s distribution system) had been cut from 6.9 million gallons per day to 4.9 million gallons within the project’s first two years.

As a result, Mr Davis said the Corporation’s major supplier, BISX-listed Consolidated Water, had reported that its revenues for 2014 were significantly decreased.

“This decrease is directly attributed to the efforts of the Water & Sewerage Corporation and Miya Water Bahamas to reduce water losses in New Providence,” he said.

“In just over 18 months of implementation, non-revenue water has been reduced from its initial level of 6.9 million gallons to 4.9 million gallons on an annual basis. Miya has already exceeded its target of 5.5 million gallons for 2014 at the prompting of the Corporation’s management and Board of Directors.”

Mr Davis added: “The direct benefits of these accomplishments are obvious and reflected in Consolidated Water’s recent report of reduced revenues. As recently as 2013, both desalination plants [Blue Hills and Windsor] were running at full capacity, and any interruption in water production resulted in depletion of storage and rationing supplies to consumers.

“Now, Water and Sewerage Corporation is able to authorise occasional plant shutdowns, and Consolidated Water is able to perform its preventive maintenance programmes with little or no effect on water supply.

He then said: “The benefits do not end there. As a result of the infrastructure installed, and the monitoring and control equipment put in place under the project, the number and frequency of leaks have decreased, thereby reducing overtime requirements and allowing the Corporation to focus on other maintenance activities.

“Software introduced under the project has also integrated the customer service, work order management, and distribution monitoring systems into a seamless non-revenue water and general asset management system.”

Mr Davis said that over the life of the 10-year Miya project, it is expected that more than 10 billion gallons of water will be saved.

“By avoiding production of this water, we will save 7 million gallons of diesel and 33 gigawatts hours of electricity. This is, I am advised, equivalent to powering over 600 households and over 800 vehicles for 10 years,” said Mr Davis.

Highlighting the progress by the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Miya (Bahamas), Mr Davis said that because of old and degraded water distribution utilities, up to 58 per cent of the former’s supply was being lost.

“Miya conducted studies in 2012 and developed a comprehensive strategy for water loss reduction. They then commenced implementation in 2013. During its studies, Miya determined that losses were actually almost 6.9 million gallons per day but despite this, the Corporation and Miya have made significant progress,” said Mr Davis.

The Water and Sewerage Corporation is also in discussions with its major Family Island desalinated water supplier and third parties to introduce wind energy at their production facilities, thus lowering the cost of water production.
 Mr Davis said: “WSC is also in discussions with its major Family Islands desalinated water supplier, Aqua Design/GE, and third parties, to introduce renewable (wind) energy at its production facilities, thus lowering the cost of water production in the Family Islands.”

Mr Davis said other initiatives include the preparation of a sewerage Master Plan for New Providence, and drafting legislation to enable the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) to regulate the water sector.

“The Corporation is also reviewing an automated meter-reading system, which is compatible with existing BEC meters and which could allow both corporations to integrate meter reading and possibly billing, thus improving operational efficiency and customer service for both organisations,” said Mr Davis.