OiEAU ANNUAL REPORT - 2019

Against water crisis in Guadeloupe: an ambitious project, initiated in 2019 Guadeloupe has one of the largest water reserves in theworld. However, it is facing a real water crisis. The cause? The fragility, uneven distribution and poor management of this resource which impact the daily life of the inhabitants. 7,000 m 3 of water available per capita. It is 2.5 times more than in continental France. The reserves fed by very significant rainfall represent a resource that, in theory, is reliable, perennial and almost ideal. 91% of the resource comes from Basse-Terre, including 75% from surface waters. The remainder comes from often poorly protected or unprotected catchments. Clearly established bacteriological or pesticide contamination makes it difficult for the inhabitants to accept water services. Failing Infrastructure The operation and status of the drinking water supply system means that we must speak of a "water crisis". Leaks, obsolescence or lack of meters, illegal connections, lead to a loss of more than 60% of the volumes produced and to very uneven financial conditions for the utilities. Water cut offs causea lackof tapwater for sometimes several days a week and make customers angry. The public drinking water supply service has not the necessary quality and fairness. The recovery of water bills is faulty and the efficiency of the water utilities management is limited. Training and Governance: The 2 Main Components of the Project The Guadeloupe Water Authority (OEG/GWA), a key stakeholder in the Island, has selected OiEau and Ernst and Young (EY) group to initiate a proactive approach to support the local authorities in the management of this crisis. Since July 2019, OiEau and EY, under GWA control, have carried out joint and complementary actions for the development of financial models, training and technical support for operators, thinking about a new governance method and participation in a specific working group on leaks. After an audit of water production plants, OiEau has also provided a training session for technicians on leak detection. WGA has acquired specific detection equipment which OiEau will soon use to build the capacities of the various people involved in this process, which has received support from the Region. « The Human Resources component is essential in this project. It will allow elected officials and public intermunicipal cooperation bodies to jointly build the future organization for providing Guadeloupeans with a public utility supplying quality water. » Ms Rivet, HRD Expert – OiEau 39