The contract to install new saltwater pipes and move a pump station at the Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre was awarded to Sanpik Contracting Cayman, the Department of Tourism has announced.
The West Bay facility requires a supply of fresh seawater for its various lagoons and tanks and the pipes have not been replaced since it opened in 1968.
The pump system was remodelled in 2000-2001, but due to budget constraints, the pipes were left as they were.
As a result, they have become clogged with calcification, reducing their diameter from 14 inches to around four inches, severely limiting the water flow.
This has in turn increased operating costs, said the Department of Tourism, while two major breaks have disrupted water supply to the turtle tanks.
Although the pump system was remodelled, the seaside location of the pumping station makes it particularly vulnerable to storms. This means it’s often temporarily moved when severe weather is forecasted, leaving the tanks without a continuous water supply.
The new inland pumping station, which will sit across the road from the existing facility, will pump 20 million gallons of saltwater per day, ensuring a continuous flow without the need to dismantle the pumps because of bad weather.
The upgrade, valued at $2.56 million, is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.
Cayman Turtle Centre CEO Christopher Jackson said: “We are happy that this project has come to fruition. Its implementation will facilitate necessary improvements in our efficiency here at the Centre.
Jackson noted that moving the pump station will address safety as well.
“This will help protect the animals, which rely on an adequate supply of saltwater, as well as reducing risks to our staff.”
Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Ports, Kenneth Bryan said: “This project is long overdue, and I’m pleased that we could begin the process of improving the efficiency of the Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre, our largest land-based tourism attraction.
“As the only facility of its kind in the world, it is paramount that the Centre’s infrastructure supports its efforts in rehabilitating the green sea turtle population – a key element of our cultural identity.”
