Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works, and Water Resources, Santia Bradshaw, speaking at the opening ceremony of the 7th Caribbean Water Conference 2023 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, today. (Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources)

Water and wastewater utility companies and agencies within the Caribbean have been encouraged to foster consistent cooperation amongst themselves in an effort to strengthen the regional industry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works, and Water Resources, Santia Bradshaw, made the call during the opening ceremony of the 7th Caribbean Water Conference 2023, which officially opened today, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Speaking to over 100 delegates from Barbados, the Caribbean, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged that while there was cooperation amongst local agencies within individual countries, this needed to be strengthened at the regional level.

“Even though some limitations may prevent us from always being on the cutting edge of technology, there is no excuse for us reneging on joint regional initiatives that see us pooling resources, whether human, financial, inventory, or otherwise.

“There is clear evidence of consistent cooperation between water and wastewater establishments and other agencies within individual countries. The next step should be fostering consistent cooperation within the region. We can only grow stronger together. It is essential for regional utilities and stakeholders to engage in joint discussions and planning sessions, rather than working separately with various bodies,” Ms. Bradshaw stressed.

The three-day conference, which has been organised by the Barbados Water Authority and the Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association (CAWASA), is being held under the theme Operators: Pillars of Recovery and Resilience.

Executive Director of CAWASA, Ignatius Jean, said while water operators play a vital role in providing running water, it was unfortunate that the only time they are remembered “is when the water stops running”. Mr. Jean said the conference is an acknowledgement of the work water operators do to keep the water utilities functioning.

He noted that CAWASA, which represents 12 publicly owned Caribbean water utility companies, lives and thrives through partnership. He encouraged operators at the conference to share their experiences and to network.

Also lauding regional water operators for their work over the past years, he praised their response to natural disasters during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During these trying times, the water sector has played a key role, displaying resilience and sheer determination to meet the needs of the people of the Caribbean,” Mr. Jean said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Barbados Water Authority, David Wright, expressed gratitude to CAWASA for choosing Barbados for the conference.

He pointed out that the Caribbean region has repeatedly shown that even with limited resources, once the islands and organisations partner in lending assistance in crisis or emergency situations, it can recover.

The conference will cover topics such as Bridging the Gap between Science and Wastewater Operators for Resilience Systems and The Caribbean Water Sector in a Post-Pandemic Climate.

It runs from Wednesday, June 28, to Friday, June 30, and will include an Operators Competition at the Golden Ridge Station. The contests that will take place are Pipe Laying and Joining, Service Connections, and the Installation of Valves.

Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources

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