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| Project Manager for the new Barbados Water Authority Headquarters, Stephen Lindo (right) points out a feature of the proposed building to Minister with responsibility for Water Resource Management, Dr. David Estwick. (C. Pitt/BGIS) |
Government is seeking to have the island’s water zones renamed and designated in an effort to meet the challenges posed by limited land space and urban development.
This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Water Resource Management, Dr. David Estwick, who said the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) recently undertook a study on the Comprehensive Review and Overhaul of the Groundwater Protection Zoning Policy and System, the recommendations of which were submitted to Cabinet.
Dr. Estwick was speaking earlier this week during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new ultramodern Barbados Water Authority headquarters at the Pine, St. Michael.
The study concluded that "due to the potential for contamination from existing and new development, it was becoming exceedingly difficult for Barbados to maintain the traditional protection zones with an ever expanding urban corridor and increasing pressures on the regulators. It is evident that the groundwater protection system, in 1963, is coming under increased pressure due to limited physical space on the island and the demands of economic growth."
Dr. Estwick pointed out that Cabinet had agreed to the renaming of the zones which would be referred to as Zones A to E, with specific regulations being applied to each zone.
"The new zoning nomenclature will come into effect as soon as the revised mapping system is completed and the necessary legislation is drafted," he said.
The Water Resources Minister added that the BWA was in the process of making arrangements, through Public Private Partnership, for the construction of a Reverse Osmosis Plant at the Belle Pumping Station to treat groundwater in that aquifer.