Water Authority celebrated its 35th year of service to the Cayman Islands community on Thursday, 26 April, by hosting a Business After Hours at its headquarters on Red Gate Road.

A crowd of almost 100 people – including dignitaries, industry leaders, and members of the community – arrived at the Water Authority headquarters to join in the celebrations. Chamber President, Paul Byles kicked off proceedings with the opening remarks.

“It is my privilege to congratulate the Water Authority on this outstanding milestone,” said President Byles.

“Since joining the Chamber in 1999, the Water Authority has achieved significant development, and their contributions to the Cayman Islands have benefitted the lives of all.”

Following President Byles was the Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly (Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture & Lands), who offered praise and congratulations on behalf of the government.

“I am happy to share the Water Authority’s consistent investment, since 1991, toward the development of water infrastructure in Cayman Brac by investing more than $6.8m, including $4.5m in the last five years as the piped water expansion project has pressed forward,” she said.

Minister O’Connor-Connolly furthered her congratulations by praising the Water Authority’s commitment to residents, announcing that the organisation’s staff is 97% Caymanian, and that it was also establishing a scholarship (valued at CI$25,000) to support young Caymanians further their education at the University College of the Cayman Islands.

“You couldn’t have commenced your Business After Hours for 2018 at a better establishment,” she added.

Mr. Kearney Gomez, Chairman of the Water Authority Board, took to the podium next, recounting the growth of the establishment over the past three-and-a-half decades, and to pay tribute to several long-serving Board members.

“I would like, on behalf of the Authority, to acknowledge some of the long-serving members and to publicly thank them for their service to this country. These three individuals are Mr. Otto Watler, Mr. Brainard Watler, and Mr. Richard Flowers,” he said.

“I would also wish, on behalf of the Authority, to acknowledge the contribution of the Board’s first Chairman from the private sector, the late Mr. Derrick Wight.”

Mr. Gomez also thanked all of those in attendance for sharing in the evening’s jubilations.

The speeches concluded with the debut of a promotional video marking the development, achievements and projects of the Water Authority during the last 35 years, and the video can be viewed here.

The jubilations continued through the evening, with a number of guests luckily enough to get their hands on some Water Authority gift certificates and goodie bags. 5 guests walked away with $35 Water Authority gift certificates, whilst one other guest was lucky enough to get their hands on a $350 gift voucher.

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The Water Authority is the statutory body responsible for the management of water and wastewater in the Cayman Islands. The Administrative Headquarters is located at 13G Red Gate Road, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.