Bonaire 2040 – a viable plan to protect drinking water supply

Rapid population growth is putting pressure on the drinking water capacity on this Caribbean Island. Royal HaskoningDHV has been working with its utilities provider since 2008. The latest master-plan aims to secure the island’s future drinking water supply in the face of escalating demand.

The challenge: Improving capacity for a growing population

Bonaire is a popular tourism destination with strong economic growth relative to other Caribbean countries and territories. This growth has come mainly from tourism and related sectors like construction. The island's population is increasing in line with the economy. And it's a trend that's predicted to continue.

The island's utility, Water- en Energiebedrijf Bonaire (WEB), provides electricity, drinking water, and wastewater treatment for the island's 24,000 people. To support rising demand, WEB needed to unlock capacity across its drinking water production and distribution network while streamlining maintenance. WEB is a small company, and Bonaire is a small island with a restricted talent capacity. This makes its challenges even more difficult to overcome.

Recently, WEB asked Royal HaskoningDHV to create an update of the master-plan for 2024-2040, with a focus on increasing the island's drinking water production capacity – while keeping prices affordable – over the next two decades and beyond.

The solution: Ongoing, strategic advice from an international partner

WEB has been working with Royal HaskoningDHV as a trusted partner since 2008. We have successfully executed projects including master planning and hydraulic network calculations. We have also delivered engineering services and construction support for a new drinking water treatment plant. And also the same of support for wastewater.

As drinking water consultants, we have broad international experience and expertise to help WEB solve these problems. Crucial in our advice is our understanding of the local circumstances. Over the years, for the master planning we’ve regularly assessed economic, social, spatial, and environmental circumstances that influence the drinking water supply, both on the island and around the world. This has helped WEB to build a baseline picture of what’s needed to face its current challenges.

For the 2024-2040 master-plan update, we interviewed employees and external stakeholders to investigate the urban and tourism developments. Our team made risk and development analyses, considering factors such as compliance, climate, sustainability, and digitalisation.

Our advice included:

Strategies for asset management, digitalisation, and cybersecurity
Suggestions for using technology to improve services and keep prices affordable
Measures for alleviating the still-increasing demand
Guidance on tackling potential water source deterioration

Bonaire now has a master-plan with flexible options. It fits closely with WEB’s vision and strategy to guarantee its drinking water supply and ensure future prices remain affordable for residents.

Rob SchotsmanSenior Consultant & Market and Business Development Water

The result: A robust and flexible strategy for increasing capacity to 2040

The master-plan offers WEB insight into its possible strategic choices and their impacts. We developed a demand forecasting model for production and distribution, and worked with the company to draw up an investment plan based on these scenarios. This model offers the possibility to compare various strategic choices financially.

The 2024-2040 master-plan gives WEB the basis for a robust and flexible strategy. This will help the island meet its vision and strategy to secure the drinking water supply long into the future – and ensure prices remain affordable.