Managing Wastewater in the Caribbean Islands

Feb 10, 2023
 by Seven Seas News Team

Discharging untreated wastewater into the environment can harm ecosystems and damage the beautiful sands and seas that visitors come to the islands to enjoy. Yet, island resorts in the Caribbean Sea often are remote and are not served by municipal sewer systems. What’s the solution?

Treatment and reuse can help ecosystems and solve water scarcity issues

The Caribbean Sea has some of the most pristine beaches in the world, attracting more than 30 million tourists every year. While this is great for the local economy, the number of visitors presents a growing problem: how to deal with the wastewater generated.

Since Caribbean resorts are remotely located, they are not served by sewer systems. Often there isn’t a comprehensive plan for wastewater management, and there can be a lack of funds to upgrade or build treatment plants. As a result, wastewater treatment is handled on-site, typically through septic systems. Very often, untreated wastewater is discharged directly into the environment or surrounding seawater.

While this is an easy solution, it risks contaminating groundwater that provides a vital source of drinking water. It also risks harming sensitive marine ecosystems surrounding these resorts and could pose a health risk to visitors and communities nearby.

Considering that what attracts visitors to these resorts is the pristine beaches and crystal-clear ocean waters, harming the environment could make these destinations less attractive to tourists, which would affect the local economy.

Treating Wastewater for Reuse

One solution is to treat wastewater to a quality suitable for reuse in irrigating landscaping and recreational facilities such as golf courses. This prevents untreated or poorly treated wastewater from being discharged into the environment. Having an alternative source also can take the pressure off of limited freshwater supplies on water-stressed islands.

Water-as-a-Service®

Since funding for wastewater treatment plants can be a major obstacle, one solution is to outsource wastewater management to a team of professionals.

At Seven Seas Water Group, we take a different approach to conventional wastewater management. By partnering with our clients to offer Water-as-a-Service® (WaaS®), we provide water and wastewater treatment solutions with no upfront capital investment required. Our WaaS® strategies cover all aspects of water and wastewater management and include providing safe drinking water through desalination and advanced water treatment techniques.

With WaaS® there are no initial costs for clients to cover. We will design and build a new plant or upgrade an existing one according to your requirements and budget, and then take ownership and operate the plant on your behalf. We take care of all the planning and ensure that the new plant complies with environmental, health, and safety regulations. We cover all the operating expenses, so there are no hidden costs or surprises. You pay only for the water delivered.

Case Study in Bahamas

At Sandals Emerald Bay, a resort on the water-stressed island of Great Exuma, Bahamas, Seven Seas helped meet water and wastewater treatment requirements by installing desalination and wastewater reuse plants. The resort now has enough water to share with the neighboring community.

With our modular, decentralized solutions, Seven Seas can manage water and wastewater treatment plants for municipalities and resort managers, giving them peace of mind. Contact Seven Seas to find out how we can help you resolve your water and wastewater management issues with no initial capital outlay required.

Image Credit: shalamov/123rf.com

Loading...