GEBE is hosting this event as part of the company's ongoing 50 years celebration which also coincided with the association's anniversary. GEBE Managing Director, William Brooks, reflected on the many achievements of the association over the past years, of which notable is the in-depth study of water quality of Rick Ruytenbach as an intern with the CWA in 2008.
The morning opened with presentations by Rick Ruytenback, the former TU Delft student, who presented his thesis findings on the water quality on Saba, Statia and Bonaire as well as his recommendations on the transition for these islands into the BES construction and the resulting consequences from the Dutch Water ordinance.
Stef Strik of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment gave an update on what the three islands can expect with the transition to the BES islands. The transition of the islands into the BES status subjects them to the same water ordinance regulation as in Holland, but it has become clear that a transition period and more research will be needed to determine whether the islands' water networks can meet these regulations.
A recent meeting with the Dutch Association of water companies (VEWIN) along with the Ministry of I&M was well attended highlighting the importance of this topic both in the BES islands as well as the Netherlands. This message was communicated through Alexander Vos de Wael, director of Oasen water company in the Netherlands on behalf of the director of VEWIN, Theo Schmitsz, whose scheduled attendance was not possible at the last moment. These presentations were followed by a panel discussion that focused mostly on what the islands and water production and distribution companies can expect in the short term as well as on the longer term. The consensus in the discussion was that the islands will need a tailor-made program for each island and that collaboration between the Dutch water companies, the local water companies, the Ministry and the CWA will be paramount in reaching the right solutions for these islands.
Jasper Verberk, associate professor of the TU Delft, discussed the Dutch water distribution system and new testing methods that are faster, more accurate and give a better insight into the changes of the water quality once the water enters the distribution system. The presentation was matched with the report of the water quality workgroup presenting the challenges in the distribution systems of the Caribbean islands that are faced with much higher pressures on water networks and pipes due to the hills, as well as operating in a much warmer environment.
The CWA workgroups consist of Water Quality, Security, Distribution, Water Production Technologies, Training, Communication and Customer Relations. Each workgroup gave an account of the their work and achievements over the past year.
The Caribbean Water Association was formed as a data exchange platform between the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. It has since expanded to the Caribbean Water Association working with the six islands, and Suriname and has been collaborating with universities in Curacao, Suriname and Delft as well as the Dutch Association of Water Companies. The goal of the association is information and experience exchange with the slogan "Sharing knowledge and experience results in wisdom."
