New Act will police reused water in Barbados

A new piece of legislation, the Water Reuse Act 2023, is expected to reduce the local demand for water in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.
The Act, which has the Minister of Health and Wellness as its administrator, covers the capture, collection, treatment, and reuse or sale of wastewater for various purposes.
Furthermore, a Water Reuse Committee has been set up to approve granting of permits.
The water reuse legislation is crucial, because of Barbados being a water-scarce country. It serves to ensure that water is reused in a safe and responsible manner which benefits the users and supports the national water resources management. This is a critical initiative for Barbados building resilience against climate change.
The Act outlines the offences for which persons could be convicted or incur penalties with regards to reusing wastewater.

According to the Act, persons who commit offences are liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $BDS 200,000 or to imprisonment for 10 years or both.
As the Government of Barbados strives to promote a safe, resilient and drought-proof water supply, property owners, building managers or agricultural project managers interested in investing in water reuse for the purpose of supplying non-potable water are urged by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to become acquainted with the Water Reuse Act, 2023.
Information on the Act may be accessed online via the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ website https://www.health.gov.bb and the Barbados Parliament’s website at https://www.barbadosparliament.com.  (MHW/BGIS)

Photo: Southern water