CARIBBEAN water utilities will be able to exchange real time data on parts and materials through a pilot version of an innovative data-sharing platform launched by Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This will allow the participating utilities within this virtual community to expedite mutual aid and ultimately cut costs.

Seven utilities from across the Caribbean, including National Water Commission (NWC) in Jamaica, are participating in the data-sharing platform.

Through Source of Innovation, the IDB has partnered with H2bid, Inc to provide a one-year pilot version of this groundbreaking platform which is powered by AURSI. The H2bid/AURSI platform is a unique virtual community with a network effect that connects utilities across various sectors, including water, wastewater, gas, and electricity.

The initiative aims to assist Caribbean water utilities by providing access to replacement parts, promoting the discovery of new technologies, sharing technical information, encouraging best practices exchange, and reducing waste through surplus item redistribution. This innovative pilot platform streamlines collaboration among Caribbean water utilities, helping them recover from climate-related disasters and address current supply chain challenges by expediting mutual aid during emergencies so as to restore service quickly.

Users will have the opportunity to connect with their peers from other participating utilities through the virtual community. During the pilot phase the IDB and participating utilities will explore the feasibility of expanding the pilot version to include a pooled procurement programme — a proven method for saving costs through bulk purchases.

“The effects of climate change make it imperative to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of public utilities,” said Sergio Campos, chief of the IDB’s Water and Sanitation Division. “In order to enhance public utilities to implement fast and effective responses to the effects of climate change, the bank has supported the creation of a platform for resources sharing. By launching this pilot platform we are creating a network ecosystem where utilities work together to improve climate resilience, save money, and make smarter decisions.”

“The H2bid/AURSI team is excited to partner with IDB to introduce this new concept of a virtual, data-sharing community to water utilities in the Caribbean region,” added Glenn Oliver, CEO, H2bid. “We are already seeing interest from more organisations and water utilities in the Caribbean region, which is great because the virtual community has a network effect — meaning the benefits for participating utilities will only increase as more utilities join.”

Representatives from the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association, Caribbean Water & Sewerage Association, and Caribbean Development Bank actively participated in the pilot platform launch event, expressing their organisations’ support for the virtual community and their strong desire to see it expand to include more Caribbean water utilities.