Arison Investments subsidiary Miya has secured an $83m contract from the Water and Sewerage Corp (WSC) to execute a project for an enhanced water supply in the Bahamas.
Miya, through local contractors, will perform the work on the ten-year project to improve the efficiency of water systems in New Providence Island.
The project is aimed at improving local water distribution utilities to reduce leakage of potable water, currently estimated at 50%.
It is comprised of a comprehensive suite of water efficiency solutions, incorporating strategic and financial planning, based on local audits of non-revenue water (NRW).
WSC general manger Glen Laville said the reduction of NRW is a priority for achieving financial and operational sustainability, especially since more than 90% of its water comes from desalination.
Miya will also perform a water infrastructure improvement phase, which includes monitoring of water pressure, locating leaks, repairing or replacing selective pipes and overseeing the project using an advanced management information system.
Arison Investments chairman and CEO Efrat Peled said the project will improve the supply of water to the island's residents and strengthen the water corporation's financial situation, as well as reduce energy consumption.
The collaboration between the Bahamian Government and Miya will also implement a water efficiency education programme in local schools, including implementation of water conservation measures.
Within five years, the project will deliver estimated daily savings of about three million gallons of fresh water, the company said.
The implementation phase of the project received some financing from the Inter-America Development Bank as part of its $81m WSC support programme approved in November 2011. Miya is a global provider of comprehensive urban water efficiency solutions, including non-revenue water reduction.
