WILLEMSTAD – Starting from November 1, Aqualectra will launch a pilot project offering reconnection opportunities to over a thousand households that were previously disconnected due to unpaid bills. Families with outstanding debts exceeding 31 days will be reconnected to the water and electricity grid, allowing them to manage their consumption independently and in a controlled manner. Through this initiative, Aqualectra aims to restore services to these homes before Christmas.
In recent years, Aqualectra has been working towards a structural solution for the increasing customer debt, which now amounts to nearly 12 million florins. Ensuring customer well-being has always been a priority, and disconnecting services was never an easy decision. However, in many cases, it was necessary for customers who repeatedly failed to pay their bills.
Thanks to digital advancements, Aqualectra introduced a prepaid electricity system several years ago, enabling customers to manage their electricity consumption independently. Now, the same will be possible for water usage through an intelligent prepaid system, giving customers greater control over their water consumption. The success of this joint initiative with the Ministry of Social Development, Labor, and Welfare (SOAW) is of great importance, as the well-being of vulnerable households remains a central focus.
To prevent recurring debts, reconnections will be subject to specific conditions. How will this work? Selected customers will be required to sign a reconnection agreement, which includes a payment arrangement. Conditions for reconnection include timely payments and mandatory participation in three courses offered by the Ministry of SOAW: budgeting, conscious electricity use, and water conservation. Additionally, customers must attend a workshop on using the new Aqualectra system. Once the agreement is signed, meters will be reconnected on scheduled dates to ensure a smooth reconnection process, granting these households access to water and electricity before Christmas.
With this initiative, Aqualectra reaffirms its commitment to Curaçao and its communities, ensuring that vulnerable groups on the island can enjoy a worry-free Christmas with the security of essential water and electricity services.