September 20, 2021 – Freeport, The Bahamas: – Further to the August 20th update provided by the Grand Bahama Utility Company (GBUC), work continues to progress to completion on the Reverse Osmosis facility.
GBUC confirms that two of the three containers transported from Belgium containing the Utility’s Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration units have arrived. However, due to a bill of lading error on the part of the shipping company, the third container was not loaded with the others. GBUC was advised that it was placed on a later voyage departing from Belgium, and is estimated to arrive in Grand Bahama during the second week of October.
Again, the transshipment company apologized to the GBUC for this additional operational error leading to another major delay in progressing to the final phases of testing and commissioning of the RO plant.
GBUC Director of Operations Philcher Grant said, “This has indeed been a disappointing setback. Our team, along with our contractors Bahamas Hot Mix [BHM], have been working diligently, despite the added challenges of working through a pandemic, to ensure that this critical project would be commissioned as scheduled. We know what this means to the Island and, though this particular aspect is beyond our control, we extend apologies to our customers for the further delay.”
With confirmation of the shipments now enroute to Freeport, the GBUC will continue to follow-up with the shipping company for further updates and keep the public aware of progress.
GBUC confirmed that the current 25% discount for customers without potable water will remain in place until the RO plant is fully commissioned, as will free water sites in communities where potable water has not yet been restored.
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