Business View Caribbean
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tributed by email to all members, and online “Sector
News” keeps them informed and up-to-date on current
regional and international developments. The associa-
tion has grown to realize the value of websites, email
blasts, and social media as vital communication tools
for connecting with their membership, and reaching
out to others in the water and waste management sec-
tor.
On the advocacy front, Johnson explains the essential
role played by CWWA. “We communicate with all the
regional Ministers of government, to help advise them
on topics related to water management. We put them
in touch with relevant tech experts, policy developers,
researchers, so the Ministries can make more effec-
tive decisions.”
Future prospects
Recently, the CWWA has signed some memoranda of
understanding with its sister organization, the Pacific
Water and Wastewater Association. PWWA is com-
prised of small countries, including Samoa, American
Samoa, and Guam that are tasked with water man-
agement in their regions and are keen to share infor-
mation. Johnson says, “We will be working more with
them in the future, benchmarking small utilities and
learning how climate resiliency is being applied in the
Pacific sector in contrast to the Caribbean sector.”
CWWA is also working with the Global Water Partner-
ship alliance to share perspective between Caribbean
water utilities and those in North and South America. A
major initiative, right now, is establishing a partnership
with the American Water Works Association (AWWA),
aimed towards improving the water management pro-
cess in Haiti.
The Caribbean water sector is in the midst of signifi-
cant change. Much of the infrastructure was devel-
oped in colonial times, and the needs and expense for
operation of the water management systems have in-
creased substantially. Investigation is ongoing regard-
ing appropriate regional applications that are in the
conceptualization and engineering stages.
“We are able to share that information,” says Johnson.
“That’s our greatest value to members – as a resource
to share perspective, applications, and solutions that
are then applied in a regional context to deal with our
changing environment. This includes everything from
the increasing costs of water waste management, to
handling and disposal of old electronics. We are the
preeminent voice associated with the unique perspec-
tives of Caribbean communities, and how they are
handling various challenges given the limited resourc-
es of small developing islands and small developing
economies.”
