Groundbreaking Ceremony for New SWRO-3 BOOT Facility at WEB

In April 2024, WEB and Seven Seas signed the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement, guaranteeing sufficient drinking water at a reasonable price for the island for the next ten years.

The completion of the SWRO-3 BOOT is crucial for WEB to address the challenges of its existing production facilities promptly. The facility is part of WEB's strategic drinking water projects and is linked to the new control center, the groundbreaking ceremony for which took place last September.

The Minister of Justice and Energy, Mr. Arthur Dowers, was present for the occasion. In his speech, he commended WEB's management for this important milestone. With the SWRO-3 plant, WEB can produce sufficient water and guarantee Aruba's supply. Construction of the new plant, in partnership with Seven Seas Water Group, will soon commence and is projected for completion in June 2026. The 10-million-florin investment in the SWRO-3 BOOT plant is aimed at meeting both current and future water demand.

Director Alfredo Koolman of WEB Aruba N.V. expressed his appreciation to all WEB employees, who have been committed to providing Aruba with clean drinking water for over 93 years. While operations at the plants are not always without challenges, he said the dedication of the staff is crucial for optimal production. To address future challenges, significant investments in the plants are necessary. Mr. Koolman emphasized that financing strategic water projects is of great importance and has his full attention. He expressed optimism that the financiers will contribute to the shared goal of guaranteeing sufficient drinking water for Aruba at all times. Koolman expects to meet again in eight months to celebrate the completion of the SWRO-3 plant.

Henry Charrabé, CEO of Seven Seas Water Group, stated that the new SWRO-3 BOOT plant will process between 16,500 and 19,000 cubic meters of water daily. This means the project will meet not only the current but also the future water supply. The agreement has a ten-year term, and 90% of the project's personnel are drawn from the local labor market.

Minister Dowers congratulated WEB's management and expressed his confidence in the employees, who, he said, are doing an excellent job and have a clear vision for continuing to meet the population's needs in the future. The minister emphasized that the utilities will continue to produce water and energy consistently, ensuring the community can enjoy comfort and clean drinking water. Finally, he congratulated everyone at WEB for their hard work and dedication.