The team from the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) took to the airwaves in May to not only help celebrate Water Month, but to show off their recent success with their Non-revenue water reduction programme as well.

Speaking on Guardian Radio, Star 106.5FM, Love 97, Radio Abaco, Praise FM Andros and the Breeze in Eleuthera, both the management of WSC and their Public Relations staff were busy explaining sign up promotions, school visits and the success of the company’s IDB loan work.

Speaking on the ‘Jeffery’ show, General Manager Glen Laville reviewed the core elements of the 2011 $6.8 million dollar loan that has allowed the corporation to regain 60% of its water loss and now shift its gears earlier than projected to its win back campaign. “This is a ten year project with a five year maintenance plan,” explained Laville. “We are ahead of the game in reducing the revenue loss we wanted and now we are able to meet our current clients’ water demands and are ready to sell to more customers.”

With this success, WSC launched a Water Month sign up blitz and offered new and returning customers up to 50% off on sign up fees for their services. This offer was valid for Nassau residents as well as Family Island customers. “We are very excited to offer our customers this heavily reduced sign up,” said Visna Armbrister, WSC Public Affairs Manager. “We have never offered such a discount before and we hope that people take advantage of this incredible savings.”

The non-revenue water work has also improved the company’s tracking capability and now allows them speedier response times and repairs. The teams also addressed their red water issues and the corporation’s future Out Island plans. “We have launched what we hope is a successful red water reduction pilot program,” stated Robert Deal, Deputy General Manager, while on ‘Immediate Response’ with Wendell Jones. “We are adjusting our balance to improve the system and reduce the red water issue as best we can – until we can eliminate it.”

Deal went on to explain that the company is also hoping to secure a Caribbean $30 million dollar loan to launch a desalination plant in Salt Pond, Long Island in order to end the shipping and tanker service currently being used. Both Deal and Customer Service Manager, Bradley Darville also fielded questions during the show from callers in New Providence, Abaco and Long Island.

“We have significantly improved our customer services to the public,” noted Darville. “We now have payment options on line, in banks and at Cash-n-Go. We have a hugely active website and Facebook page and the introduction of our youtube videos has us reaching over 18,000 Bahamians on line.”

The corporation wrapped up its water month activities last week with a visit to the Rotary Club of East Nassau and a customer service blitz in Abaco, but will conitinue their win back campaign to the public. “We are capable of producing 12 million gallons of water a day,” noted Assistant Manager Deal. “We are supplying our customers with 9.5 million gallons daily, so we are prepared for the growth and are ready to sell.”

The Water and Sewerage Corporation was established through an Act in 1976 with full responsibilities for managing, maintaining, distributing and developing the water resources of The Bahamas.

The Corporation has a team of over 400 dedicated employees in New Providence and the Family Islands, committed to the growth and excellence in service quality, which is the key driving force that guides and sustains the relationships with customers, employees, and communities served by the Corporation.

Through a loan with the IDB in 2011 the Water and Sewerage Corporation has developed the WSC Support Program to address Non-Revenue Reduction, WSC Institutional Strengthening, Rehabilitation and Upgrade of Wastewater Infrastructure and Preparation of a Wastewater Treatment Master Plan and an upgrade of the Legal and Regulatory Framework. The Support Program will ultimately improve the quality of water and service to customers.