The National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa) has received a payout of approximately US$2.2 million (EC$6 million) from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF).
This significant payout marks a historic moment, as Nawasa becomes the first water utility to receive a payout under the parametric insurance component of the CWUIC programme.
The Caribbean Water Utility Insurance Collective (CWUIC) was officially established in October 2023 as a segregated portfolio under CCRIF. The establishment of CWUIC is supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and other key stakeholders.
This groundbreaking facility is the first of its kind globally, dedicated to assisting water and wastewater utilities in the Caribbean in building resilience against natural disasters. The CWUIC offers disaster risk finance and management tools alongside project development and financing to achieve this goal.
The programme extends its support to utilities across all Caricom member states as well as the Dominican Republic, providing a comprehensive safety net to ensure water and wastewater services remain resilient and operational in the face of natural calamities.
CWUIC CEO/Team Leader Christopher Husbands a former General Manager of Nawasa, expressed his delight in presenting the first payment to Nawasa. “Nawasa will always be dear to me, so to see Nawasa receiving such a major payout under this programme is truly heartening. This moment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. The Board of Directors and management must be commended for making a prudent investment decision and for their continued efforts in disaster financing and management preparation.”
Husbands emphasised the importance of the insurance component, which is just one aspect of the CWUIC programme, and encouraged other water utilities in the region to take advantage of the programme’s additional components, including project development and financing. Reflecting on the lessons learned from the Beryl experience, he highlighted ongoing improvements being made to enhance the programme’s effectiveness by 2025.
Nawasa’s Acting General Manager Terrence Smith expressed heartfelt thanks for the swift and efficient response, particularly given that Nawasa signed up for the programme at the start of the hurricane season. He noted that the funds will be used to strengthen the resilience of Nawasa’s water systems. “We have already started working on concept notes, one for strengthening the resilience of the intake of the Petite Martinique Desalination Plant and another for increasing the resilience of Nawasa’s raw water lines. We are seeking funding support from donor agencies, including the Caribbean Development Bank. Our strategic aim is to implement a few projects within the next 4–6 months that will bolster the resilience of our water systems, ensuring we are better prepared for future impacts.”
Following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, the National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa) sustained significant damage across the islands. On Mainland Grenada, severe damage was inflicted on 5 major water systems, with 10 additional systems impacted by blocked dams from fallen trees and debris. Seven systems faced broken raw water mains, and several experienced issues due to landslides and blocked access. In Carriacou, the seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plant at Beausejour/Seaview and the Six Roads distribution reservoir sustained stormwater and structural damage. In Petite Martinique, the SWRO plant at Sanchez and the Morne distribution reservoir experienced damage from seawater inundation and structural failures.
Nawasa’s coverage under CCRIF commenced in June 2024, ensuring swift financial support for recovery and resilience efforts.
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