WorldWide Drilling Resource

91 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® DECEMBER 2014 Ignatius Jean and the Future of a Region Part 1 by Amy White, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® At the recent Water Expo in Miami, Florida, industry professionals came together to discuss current and future prospects for the resource vital to human survival. It was a lively blend of English and Spanish speakers united by a common goal - to improve and protect water resources in Latin America and the United States, and foster connections between the water industries of these regions. As a partner for the event, WWDR was there to help, and in the process, gained a new, valuable friend from the Caribbean. “I read that familiarity breeds suc- cess,” said Ignatius Jean, executive di rector of the Car ibbean Water & Sewerage Association, Inc. (CAWASA). Ignatius believes Miami is a great plat- form for Lat in Amer ica to gain key opportunities and connections to help improve water-related issues in the region. Before coming to the water indus- try, Ignatius worked in the agricultural sector in a variety of positions since 1980, including agricultural extension, insurance, and politics - Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, & Fisheries; and Minister for Physical Planning, the Environment, & Housing. Ignatius works to educate CAWASA members and the general population through conferences and public outreach programs. The Caribbean continues to face historical drought. CAWASA is encour- aging ci t izens to adopt necessary changes in an attempt to drought-proof the region. With strategies to make more efficient uses of water storage, promote conservation awareness, and find alternate water supplies, CAWASA hopes to safeguard against the devas- tating effects of drought as much as possible in the future. Other ongoing efforts are in place to improve wastewater management, which is a particular concern in coastal regions. Central treatment facilities are scarce, so residents living in the Caribbean islands rely heavily on septic tanks, leading to issues of contamination in streams and coastal waterways. The consequences include negative impacts like coral reef destruction which could lead to tourism decline and severely weaken the region’s economy. According to Ignatius, much work is being done to ad- dress these issues. Regulat ions are being implement- ed, along with pro- grams supporting biodiversi ty and protected areas. The good news is public awareness of water issues is becoming greater in the Caribbean. Ignatius believes these water scarce regions are adopting bet- ter practices simply because they have no other choice in such desperate times. He said water authorities are still not in the stable position they would like to be, but will continue working to get there. Tune in next month for Part 2, a discussion of major water problems in the Caribbean and global efforts to solve them. Ignatius Jean y el Futuro de una Región Parte 1 por Amy White, Editor Asociado WorldWide Drilling Resource ® En la reciente Expo Agua en Miami, Florida, se reunieron profesionales de la industria para discutir las actuales y futuras perspectivas del recurso vital para la supervivencia humana. Fue unamezcla animada de oradores en inglés y español unidos por un obje- tivo común - mejorar y proteger los recur- sos de agua en América Latina y los Estados Unidos, y fomentar las conexio- nes entre las industrias del agua de Ignatius Jean stands at the Water Expo entrance. WWDR photos. Hector Leos Translator Ignatius trans. cont’d on page 94.