#BTSpeakingOut – Harness water sources

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados TODAY Inc.

We are being told on an annual basis that Barbados is a water scarce country and we must conserve water.

Yes, I agree we must conserve water wherever possible but, the water authority ought to do more to harness the limited fresh water the island has available.

For instance, there is a spring at Three Houses in St. Philip (the Spring) where fresh water runs into the sea every day for as long as Barbados was an island.

It has become more important in this era to harness and capture our limited water resource, yet this water is allowed to run freely for years into the sea and no attempt has been made over the years to capture that water, except for the vegetable plantations that exist around the area and of course, when Three Houses Factory was in existence for factory purposes.

The question was posed at a zoom meeting why the spring water is not captured and utilised. The response was that the Three Houses Act governs the use of the spring. Well with respect Mr. Editor, I think that answer shows how inept the water authority seems to be.

The Act may have been useful when it was first enacted regarding the use of the spring but today, now that water is scarce, I think the answer that the Act governs the use of the water is merely an excuse not to do anything further to capture the limited water resource that freely runs into the sea.

I say this because Acts of Parliament are reviewed or ought to be reviewed and amended or repealed when they have become outdated.

Clearly the national problem Barbados is faced with overrides whatever purpose the Act was initially passed.

The national interest is paramount and when considered with the original purpose of the Act, the national interest ought to trump that purpose.

I am sure Mr. Editor, you might be able to think of other fresh water springs/areas in Barbados that can be harnessed as well.

It is time the BWA stop giving ‘lip service’ and make tangible strides towards solving our water crisis. Every year we hear the same refrain – low water reserves/conserve water, yet every year water – a scarce resource is allowed to freely flow into the sea around Barbados without being harnessed.

It boggles the mind.

The country can look to world funds to borrow money to build a project that would harness the mentioned water resource.

The Act can be repealed or amended so that water can still be shared with the farmers around, whilst benefitting the country at large.

Just my thoughts.

K. Savoury Concerned Citizen