Bahamas News
Grand Bahama Utility Company Announces application for Rate Adjustment that seeks to address pressure for residents and preserve potability
#Freeport, GB, The Bahamas, April 13, 2023 – The Grand Bahama Utility Company (GBUC) announces that they have made official application to the Regulatory Committee of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) for a rate adjustment to be effective May 1, 2023, where 40% of customers see no increase.
According to GBUC Chief Operating Officer Philcher Grant-Adderley, it has been a long road to recovery since the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Dorian. “There is no denying that Dorian had a long-lasting impact – not only on our infrastructure, but most critically, on our freshwater lens. Our biggest wellfield, W6, was inundated with over 20 feet of seawater for three days and the consequences to the fresh water supply were devastating. In total, GBUC has
suffered over $15M in losses as a result of Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts.”
Mrs. Grant-Adderley continued, “We added 75 new wells and were able to restore potability to 70% of the island by July 2020. After comprehensive hydrological and geotechnical surveys with local teams, the international scientific community, and NGOs, it was determined that the rate of recovery of the W6 aquifer would most likely not return to potable standard in this generation. We made the decision to invest in a $5 million, 3-million-gallon per day, mobile Reverse Osmosis (RO) system that enabled us to return full potability to the Island in December 2021.”
Grant-Adderley added that it has been a very costly exercise for GBUC as RO systems are extremely expensive to run, adding an additional $2.5 million to the utility’s annual operating costs from its commissioning in 2021. That, coupled with the approximately $2 million in uninsurable losses associated with Hurricane Dorian including over half million dollars in costs to operate the free water depots for residents and 25% discounts given to residents for water usage, has taken a significant financial toll on the utility.
“It is never a decision that a company takes lightly when discussing possible rate adjustments for customers”, said Grant- Adderley. “We know that it is not an easy message to deliver or to hear. That is why despite the incredible financial loss to the utility we have absorbed these additional costs and deferred this rate adjustment application for as long as we could. However, to continue to do so would not only be fiduciarily irresponsible but makes it impossible for us to make the additional capital investments we need to restore island pressure and maintain potability.
The COO further stated that the utility has proposed a rate adjustment with the least possible customer impact while balancing the increased cost of doing business. In the application proposal 40% of customers will see no increase in their bills, while the remaining GBUC customers will on average experience an increase of approximately $8 in their monthly bills.
Grant-Adderley added that as part of the rate case application, GBUC has budgeted over $6.5 million for capital improvement plans. This is inclusive of the construction of an additional 1.5 million gallon a day mobile reverse osmosis system which will increase island potable water capacity, further improve water quality, and address the lower pressure being experienced by residents because of the diminished freshwater lens. Other projects include a multiyear asset management program where GBUC will strategically upgrade aging infrastructure with an island wide pipe and valve change out program, a robust leak detection program, using satellite technology to reduce non-revenue water, continuation of an island wide meter change out program to smart metering and the implementation
of automation of the utility’s critical systems.
Olethea Gardiner-Miller, GBUC wellfield officer, wished to remind customers that they are 100% in control of their usage. “Customers control their consumption and that’s one of the most important takeaways from the Utility,” said Gardiner-Miller. “Our rate proposal addresses key components and consumer behaviors we want to encourage. The first being to encourage environmentally conscious customers, hence no rate increase for the lower usage customers, about 40% of our base. The second being that Hurricane Dorian has significantly damaged our freshwater lens and we must learn the new normal of consuming less or we run the risk of destroying what’s left of the aquifer for us and future generations.”
The full application proposal and breakdown of rates, along with conservation tips are available on the company website www.grandbahamautility.com and information will be shared on all social media platforms. Our Utility Relations team is ready to serve customers and can assist with affordable payment plans to help bring accounts in good standing and can be contacted via phone at 350-9009 or email utilityrelations@grandbahamautility.com.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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