Rain not enough

BWA, Minister Bradshaw say more consistent downpours required to lift restrictions By Marlon Madden Barbadians will be restricted in their use of water for another two months. The water prohibition that was due to come to an end on Friday has been extended until the end of August following a careful review of the island’s water systems by the board of the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources Santia Bradshaw announced. “The board has since indicated that the recommendation is that we do continue with the water prohibition until August 31,” she said at a press conference on Friday. Bradshaw said despite the recent downpours, water levels were still not where they needed to be. She cautioned Barbadians to curb their expectations that the aquifers would be immediately replenished. “We are mindful that the amount of water we saw over the course of the last week to two weeks is not going to have the impact that Bajans may at first think. We need a lot more water than that to be able to replenish the aquifers,” she said. Water quality specialist with the BWA Alex Ifill supported Bradshaw’s position, noting that while the amount of rain for the short period was significant, there was also significant run-off. He explained that “a more consistent and long-term rainfall” was needed to replenish the aquifers. “Our monitoring has shown that we are still seeing reduced levels in the inland basin – the [supply wells] in the areas of Sweet Vale and Applewhaites, we are still seeing reduced water levels in those areas up to last week,” said Ifill. “On the west coast, some of our wells are still seeing salinity above the levels of salinity that we must have. So, basically, we are still seeing indications that we are in trouble.” Ifill reported, however, that the inland areas were already benefiting from the new groundwater monitoring systems donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) a week ago. Four of those monitoring systems have been installed. Providing further rationale for the decision to extend the prohibition, Ifill said it was also based on rainfall predictions for the coming months. “Rainfall for the June, July and August [period] . . . we are still expecting a lower than normal rainfall season in the wet season. So we are still expecting lower than normal outputs during that period. Those were the reasons we used that data to extend the prohibition to the end of August,” he said. Experts have predicted that heat and dry spells could continue well into next year and the BWA said the extension of the prohibition was the agency being proactive to avoid reaching critical levels. The last prohibition notice was an extension from April 24, 2023, to June 30, 2023. Minister Bradshaw said that, for the most part, Barbadians had complied with the prohibition notice. “I think they have recognised that the days are extremely hot. I don’t think that has been lost on the farmers and it hasn’t been lost on the households, and we are in the throes of climate change,” she said. Under the prohibition notice, the use of potable water for irrigation or watering of gardens, lawns and grounds by hose or sprinkler systems is not allowed. It also prohibits the use of water for filling or supplying tanks, ponds, baths or swimming pools. It is also an offence during the prohibition period to use water for washing roadways, pavements, paths, garages, outrooms or vehicles by hose, and for washing windows and building exteriors. Anyone found guilty of not adhering to the prohibition is liable to a fine of $500 or, in default of payment, imprisonment for one month. Exempted from the prohibition are dipping tanks for cattle, domestic baths not exceeding 120 litres or 32 gallons, and elevated reserve tanks not exceeding 800 litres or 211 gallons and connected to a household sewage or water supply system. Provisions are also made for animal farmers and individuals to use a bucket to wash vehicles. Non-potable sources are not restricted. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb]]>