WILLEMSTAD - Utility company Aqualectra has not had accreditation for the production of drinking water for more than six months. This is evident from documents from the Council of Accreditation (RvA). It is confirmed by director Darick Jonis.
According to Jonis, the company has requested a voluntary suspension of the accreditation due to 'financial constraints'. He says that Aqualectra's financial situation is so bad that it has been decided to postpone the audit by the RvA and to request suspension. This was granted on 1 September.
Audits are held to be eligible for accreditation by the RvA. The processes in the laboratory are examined. The documents show that sampling, inorganic analyzes and microbiological analyzes (the entire scope) of the drinking water in Curaçao are currently not accredited by the RvA.
When asked whether the population can still rely on good quality drinking water, Jonis replies that the National Laboratory is used as a back-up.
Last February a renewed (remote) audit was carried out in which deviations were found. Jonis does not have this information readily available, but he declares that he is willing to make the deviations public later. Another audit would be held at the end of March.
Responsible Minister of Economic Development Steven Martina was unreachable for comment.