By FAY SIMMONS 

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) is to switch to monthly billing with the introduction of smart meters, it was announced during the Budget debate.

Leon Lundy, Minister of State in Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for WSC revealed during his 2024/2025 budget contribution last week that the utility will transition over 60,000 meters to smart meters, ending the practice of physical meter reading.

Mr Lundy said the first 10,000 smart meters have been ordered, with the first 5,000 expected “shortly”.

“These meters will permit the corporation to read meters initially via drive by and eventually remotely thus eliminating the need to access gated residences and other barriers for meter reading purposes.” said Mr Lundy.

He explained the transition to monthly billing cycles will “significantly” benefit consumers as they would receive “manageable” monthly bills and be alerted to internal leaks faster.

“It is envisioned that these smart meters will eventually be linked with an app which will notify customers immediately when there is a spike in their usage and thus enable them to promptly identify and repair any leaks within their property,” said Mr Lundy.

“This scenario will be a win-win for both our customers and the corporation as our customers will be able to better manage their consumption and thus their billings and the corporation will be freed from the losses associated with millions of gallons of water which would have passed through customer meters but is eventually rebated by the corporation as part of our leak rebate programme.”

He said the corporation is currently engaged in a $175m capital works programme designed to improve water and sanitation services throughout The Bahamas funded by three loans from the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund.

He said: “A $100m Bahamas Water Supply and Sanitation Upgrade Loan Programme is being finalised with the Inter-American Development Bank, a $25m Water Supply Improvement Project Phase II Loan is being finalised with the Caribbean Development Bank and a $50m Climate Resilience in the Water Sector Loan is being advanced via the Green Climate Fund and the Caribbean Development Bank.

“This approximately $175m in financing will be utilised to expand, rehabilitate and strengthen our water and sanitation systems across the country to provide world class services while in parallel designed to withstand the increasing climatic challenges of our region. The corporation is currently engaged in the largest, most comprehensive and sustained Capital Works Programme in its almost 50-year history.”

He said to date the capital works programme has completed over $6m in post-Dorian repairs with only minor work now remaining, over $6m in works on Eleuthera, $30m of water works in Cat Island, over $10m water works across Exuma, $200,000 projects in San Salvador and projects on Long Island, Acklins, Andros, Bimini and the Berry Islands.

For New Providence, Mr Lundy said there will be “substantial” sewerage improvement works but “limited” capital works in a bid to protect the environment and safeguard the level of service provided to consumers.

He said: “Ongoing and recently completed projects include over $100,000 was expended to rehabilitate the Coral Vista Wastewater Treatment Plant in Q4, 2023. Over $150,000 of works are ongoing at Arawak Cay to improve the flow of sewage at that critical national facility. $100,000 of works are ongoing along East Shirley Street to improve the flow of sewage in that area and to end unhealthy overflows associated with old, collapsing sewerage infrastructure.

“The corporation continues to work closely with Central Government to identify a financing mechanism to complete the Gladstone Road Wastewater Treatment Plant at the earliest opportunity. The public and residents in the area of Malcolm Park can expect to see improvements at that site which should also end the odour complaints during the second half of 2024.”