Sewage Improvement Update

[cpjones]

Pretty sure I read that the sewage plant near Amsterdam Manor was allocated funds for improvement. Does anyone know if anything has happened with it yet...? Thanks!

[Arawak]

They did some emergency works on it valued at a few million to avoid an ecological disaster. Back in June DOW(public works) signed an agreement with the Dutch Royal HaskoningDHV to draft plans to upgrade the facility and almost double the capacity its processing now from 8500m3 to 15300m3 or thereabouts. Remember the intended original capacity was only around 5500m3. The public tender for this project is due to happen in the 4th quarter of this year. We'll see if they manage to remain on schedule. The public budget for 2023 where this expense is placed is being debated this week in parliament, so after that is passed we will hopefully hear more on it.

[Aruba4ever]

What was this about? https://english.24ora.com/2022/09/03...usand-florins/

[Arawak]

What was this about? https://english.24ora.com/2022/09/03...usand-florins/

They've been doing various small fixes on the plant for the last few years now. There was a total of 16 million Florins budgeted this year for emergency repairs.

Paraphrasing from Ursell Arends (minister of transport, integrity, nature and elderly care) at the 2023 government budget meeting in parliament 5 days ago:

Final planning is now taking place after various reports, feasability and business case studies to fully privatize the water purification plant. All studies indicate that the plant would earn enough money to be fully self-sustainable and no longer have to rely on government expenditure. A completely new plant with a capacity of 15.000 m3 is going to be built with private financing. The other two purification plants(Zeewijk, Parkietenbos) on the island are included in this "masterplan". Additionaly, hotels have expressed interest in buying the high quality purified water from this new plant to use in for example landscaping, a win win for everyone.

[act1966]

Ursell Arends (minister of transport, integrity, nature and elderly care)

That is quite the portfolio...

[GETA62]

Here is the latest from 24Ora

With the dysfunction of our sewage system, Aruba woke up this morning to an unpleasant situation across the island including areas frequented by tourists. Cruise ship tourists will likely also be visiting the area of Eagle Beach is covered in sewage water coming from the drains like a fountain.


The unpleasant smell will welcome the thousands of tourists that will visit the area throughout the day. DOW has not been seen at the scene since this morning. Our leaders want to promote Aruba as an important destination in the Caribbean but this is the reality that tourists will face once they arrive. Local workers in the area are also confronted with the unpleasant smell and scene which also has negative consequences for their health.

[Aruba4ever]

That is awful news!!!! Makes the stench at the AM seem nice- almost.

[flpctc]

This is just horrific ! Beyond words...this is Aruba? Maybe the extra rain they have been having is part of it but seriously it's shameful they
have procrastinated this long on the problem. What Now??

[Pegmeister]

Horrendous news! My heart aches for Aruba. Hope they are able to get things remedied.

[Aruba4ever]

If this was your 1st trip would you ever consider returning? NOPE! Wow, lets fix this Aruba as you are loosing guest by the day with things like this.