FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Coast Water Reclamation Project Moves into Implementation Phase
Bridgetown, Barbados – Barbados’ South Coast Water Reclamation Project has taken a further step towards implementation, with representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and AECOM touring the project site recently as mobilisation and pre-construction activities continue.
The visit allowed project partners to review progress on site, discuss upcoming works and reaffirm their shared commitment to delivering a major national investment in water security, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Kambiri Cox, Project Team Lead, IDB, said the project demonstrated the value of collaboration among national, international and technical partners.
“This project is a strong example of what can be achieved through collaboration between the Government of Barbados, the Barbados Water Authority, our financing partners and the technical teams responsible for delivery.
Through the debt-for-climate financing arrangement – the first of its kind – Barbados is advancing a critical investment that connects climate resilience, water security and sustainable development. The progress now underway brings the country closer to a modern water reclamation and reuse facility that will have lasting national benefits,” she said.
The South Coast Water Reclamation Project will establish Barbados’ first large-scale wastewater reclamation and reuse facility. Once operational, the facility will treat wastewater to a high standard for approved non-potable uses, including agricultural irrigation, reducing pressure on the island’s limited groundwater resources and helping to strengthen Barbados’ ability to manage drought conditions.
This is particularly important for Barbados’ freshwater aquifers, which are a vital but finite source of potable water and are increasingly vulnerable to prolonged dry periods, saltwater intrusion and the effects of climate change. By expanding the use of reclaimed water for appropriate purposes, the project will help conserve these groundwater reserves for essential domestic use and support their long-term sustainability.
Peter Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, BWA, said the project represented an important investment in Barbados’ water future.
He explained: “The South Coast Water Reclamation Project represents an important investment in Barbados’ water future. It will help us to manage our water resources more sustainably, reduce pressure on our groundwater supplies and strengthen the country’s resilience to drought and the growing impacts of climate change. As the project moves through its early implementation stages, the Barbados Water Authority remains focused on delivering a facility that will serve the country for generations to come.”
The project is being delivered through four components, with the construction of the South Coast Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility forming the first component.
China Railway Shanghai Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (CRSEG) is the contractor engaged to carry out the construction works under Component One. AECOM serves as Contract Administrator for this component, providing contract administration, coordination and oversight support in relation to the works being delivered by CRSEG.
The remaining components support the wider work required for successful project delivery, including reclaimed-water reuse, institutional strengthening, and the environmental, social, gender and stakeholder engagement requirements of the project.
Ian Constantine, Project Coordinator for the BWA, said the site visit provided an important opportunity for project partners to see the progress being made as mobilisation and pre-construction activities continue: “There is a great deal of technical planning, coordination and preparation taking place behind the scenes to ensure that the project is implemented safely, responsibly and in keeping with the required environmental and social standards. We are now building the foundation for the next phase of works”.
Pre-construction activities now underway include site mobilisation, engineering and technical planning, environmental and social management measures, stakeholder coordination, and preparations for phased deliveries of materials and equipment.
The South Coast Water Reclamation Project is a joint effort of the Government of Barbados, the Barbados Water Authority and the Inter-American Development Bank. Financing for the project is being provided through the IDB, the European Investment Bank and the Green Climate Fund. The BWA will oversee implementation, including compliance with the IDB’s eligibility rules and procurement procedures.
The BWA will continue to provide updates to residents, businesses and other stakeholders as the project progresses.
Media Contact
Tracy Moore
PR & Communications Officer – South Coast Water Reclamation Project
Barbados Water Authority
Email: tracy.moore@bwa.gov.bb
ENDS