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| Project Manager for the new Barbados Water Authority Headquarters, Stephen Lindo (right) points out a feature of the proposed building to Minister with responsibility for Water Resource Management, Dr. David Estwick.????The four-storey, ultra-modern facility is designed to be energy efficient, with all the external lighting powered by solar technology, among other energy saving features. (C. Pitt/BGIS) |
Within the next two years, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) will have spanking new, state-of-the-art headquarters in the Pine, St. Michael.
The modern 80,000 square foot facility will house all of the BWA’s offices and services under one roof as the authority presently manages five departments located across the island.
Minister with responsibility for Water Resource Management, Dr. David Estwick, revealed that one of the features of the new complex would be a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Centre, where an operator would be able to check reservoir levels in real time and determine faults at pumping stations before field staff visit the station.
Dr. Estwick, who was speaking this morning during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility, pointed out that the BWA’s present mode of operations had led to some fragmentation and inefficiencies.
However, he stressed that with the new headquarters, the Barbadian public "can expect a significant improvement in service delivery from the Barbados Water Authority".
"With the construction of this complex, I anticipate a more organised and efficient operation; better accommodation for staff; new and improved customer service; more timely responses to complaints from the general public; and… an enhancement of the public’s image of the Barbados Water Authority and its staff," Dr. Estwick said.
Board Chairman, Dr. Atlee Brathwaite, said the BWA was faced with a number of accommodation challenges and had outgrown its present office which it has occupied since 1971.
Apart from allowing the BWA to more efficiently manage its resources, he explained the new facility would also cut down on the Authority’s rent bill which was close to $2.5 million.