Govt buys 7 water plants from Aqua Design
The government has acquired seven desalination plants from Aqua Design for $16.375 million, a move Minister of State for the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Leon Lundy says will rein in the corporation’s largest expense and strengthen national water security.
Why the purchase matters
Addressing Parliament, Lundy framed the buyout as a shift from outsourcing to local control, describing it as the start of a new era in which Bahamians oversee, manage and benefit from the infrastructure that supplies their water. By bringing these facilities under Bahamian ownership, he said, profits will remain in the domestic economy, supporting jobs and new opportunities.
Which plants are included
The acquisition covers Aqua Design’s facilities in several islands, including:
- Waterford and Tarpon Bay, South Eleuthera
- Naval Base, Central Eleuthera
- The Bogue, North Eleuthera
- Georgetown, Exuma
- Cockburn Town, San Salvador
- Matthew Town, Inagua
Lundy noted that long-standing operational issues on Eleuthera prompted the government to rethink prior arrangements and move toward ownership and direct oversight.
Transition timeline
A handover period of up to 10 months has been set to ensure a smooth transition, with the possibility of a shorter three-month timetable in Exuma and San Salvador to expedite urgent improvements for local communities.
New desalination company and center of excellence
Cabinet has approved the creation of a dedicated desalination center of excellence, to be operated by a new special purpose vehicle: WSC Desal Company Limited. This entity will progressively assume ownership, operations and maintenance for all desalination assets under WSC’s remit.
Beyond managing public facilities, WSC Desal Company is expected to expand into private-sector services locally and across the region, aiming to position The Bahamas as a leader in desalination innovation in the Caribbean.
Public participation and economic impact
Lundy said the new structure will mirror successful public–private partnership models used in the country, with government holding a strategic stake while creating room for Bahamian investors to participate. Over time, WSC Desal Company is expected to enter local capital markets, offering citizens a chance to invest directly in national water infrastructure.
By consolidating operations, the government anticipates economies of scale that reduce operating costs and, ultimately, lower water prices for consumers. Keeping revenues within the country is intended to build Bahamian wealth and expand employment opportunities tied to the sector.
Jobs, training and leadership
The initiative includes a focus on building local expertise. Lundy said Bahamians will be trained and advanced into senior technical and management roles across desalination, engineering, logistics, finance and corporate leadership—areas that have historically been dominated by non-Bahamians.
All Bahamian employees currently working with Aqua Design will have their jobs protected under the new company. As part of the separation process, Aqua Design is also required to fully compensate its Bahamian staff.
Putting water security in Bahamian hands
Lundy emphasized that the acquisition is about more than asset transfer—it is about ensuring that decisions affecting the country’s water supply are made at home. With WSC Desal Company at the helm and a center of excellence to drive innovation and training, the government aims to cement long-term, locally led control over a critical national resource.
