Project Details
Location: Great Exuma, Bahamas
Customer: Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma
Technology: Seawater reverse osmosis, extended aeration
Capacity: Desalination, 1 MGD (3,780 m³/d); wastewater treatment, 0.4 MGD (1,515 m³/d)
Challenges
- Providing 1 MGD (3,780 m³/d) of fresh water with reverse osmosis desalination
- Treating 0.4 MGD (1,515 m³/d) of wastewater
- Continuing to operate existing wastewater treatment and desalination facilities
Million gallon per day desalination plant allows island resort to focus on its guests

Exuma is a Bahamian district of more than 365 cays (islands), the largest of which is 37-mile-long Great Exuma. Sandals Emerald Bay resort is situated there on a brilliant white strip of beach.
While there is no shortage of seawater in the Caribbean, islands do experience water and wastewater challenges, for example, sourcing enough fresh water to support tourism growth. Also, about 85% of wastewater in the Caribbean is discharged into the sea, which harms the pristine environment essential for tourism.
While reverse osmosis desalination and wastewater treatment can solve these problems, the technical processes are outside of the usual scope of the hospitality industry, so in the early 2000s, Four Seasons Emerald Bay (later Sandals) contracted with a company for water and wastewater services. After several years, Seven Seas Water Group acquired the water company, along with the BOOT contract, and continued to provide water and wastewater services for the resort.
At the end of the BOOT contract period, Sandals opted to continue with Seven Seas Water Group and renew the contract to desalinate seawater for a reliable supply of potable water for guests, and to treat and reuse wastewater for golf course irrigation.
Ample Water Supplies
The desalination plant at Sandals allows the resort to create its desired guest experience. Water is never an issue despite the fragile and limited freshwater supplies of the Bahamas. And there is enough fresh water remaining to allow Sandals to share 30% of it with a local government utility who then distributes it to the island’s residents, maintaining positive local relationships.
Wastewater treatment and reuse do double duty, keeping harmful wastewater out of the pristine Caribbean ecosystem and keeping the Sandals golf courses in top condition.
Water Handled by Water Professionals
Our clients choose Seven Seas Water Group because they want their most vital resource in the hands of professionals. We thoughtfully construct our plants, keeping in mind a continuing relationship that doesn’t expire at the end of an equipment warranty. Because Sandals Emerald Bay is consistently satisfied with Seven Seas Water Group, our partnership has renewed and been extended for many years.
Make Seven Seas Water Group your first call for water or wastewater treatment. Contact our water experts to discuss the needs of your business or community and to learn how we can deliver guaranteed capacity, quality, and cost.
Water Handled by Water Professionals
Our clients choose Seven Seas Water Group because they want their most vital resource in the hands of professionals. We thoughtfully construct our plants, keeping in mind a continuing relationship that doesn’t expire at the end of an equipment warranty. Because Sandals Emerald Bay is consistently satisfied with Seven Seas Water Group, our partnership has renewed and been extended for many years.
Make Seven Seas Water Group your first call for water or wastewater treatment. Contact our water experts to discuss the needs of your business or community and to learn how we can deliver guaranteed capacity, quality, and cost.
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