NASSAU, BAHAMAS — For a fifth consecutive year MIYA, the region’s leading efficiency-oriented water operator, came on board as a platinum sponsor of the annual Caribbean Water & Wastewater Association conference.
The 31st conference was held in Nassau last week, and provided a platform for Caribbean stakeholders in the water and sanitation community to plan strategies geared toward the protection of public health and the promotion of sustainable development.
Since entering the region, MIYA through its work in both The Bahamas and Jamaica has worked to positively influence advancements in technology, education, science, management, and country and regional policies in the water and sanitation field.
“This was a very significant event for MIYA thanks to our presence in Nassau over the last 10 years developing the NRW Reduction Programme together with the WSC,” said project manager Mario Tavera.
The conference staged at the Atlantis resort brought together water, wastewater, and solid waste professionals in the public and private sectors of the region under the theme: “Recovery and Evolution: Regional Actions for Global Sustainability in the Water and Waste Sectors”.
In addition to presentations from various exhibitors, public and private sector participants the weeklong sessions from October 17-21.
It also included special presentations from MIYA executives including MIYA CEO Noam Komy who addressed a packed room about financing a Non-Revenue Water project before also leading a spirited question and answer segment.
“MIYA is proud to have sponsored the most important water event in the region” Komy said.
“For MIYA this was a highly relevant Congress due to the significance of the area for the company. This was a great opportunity for us to feature some of the projects we’ve executed across the region. We hope to continue collaborating with current and potential clients in The Bahamas and Jamaica and other countries around the Caribbean.”
Over the course of its ten-year project here in the capital, MIYA Bahamas led by project manager Mario Tavera developed and implemented a unique and holistic approach to reducing water losses.
“We were able to reduce NRW by 26 percent within the first 5 years and to 21 percent by the end of the 7th year,” Tavera said.
“Our project reconfigured the distribution system and invested tens of millions of dollars in selective CAPEX programmes and we were not only able to return the island to 24/7 supply, but also surpassed contract milestones and received international recognition in the process”.
As the company now prepares to extend its work in The Bahamas, Tavera will demit his role as a project manager with Alvaro Ramalho taking over the post as of November 1.
Ramalho who has overseen the company’s Jamaica operations brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge having executed a similarly successful project there.
“The work done by the local MIYA team in collaboration with the Water & Sewerage Corporation has been extremely impressive,” said Ramalho.
“I’m looking forward to continuing the longstanding relationship and building on the successes and working toward an even more sustainable water efficient future.”
