Friends of Democracy: 50% water bill discount for St Lucy residents amid water crisis

The Friends of Democracy (FOD) political party is demanding that the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) grant a 50 per cent discount on water bills for residents of St Lucy, who continue to endure what the group describes as a five-year-long water crisis.

During a community water drive held in Durham, St Lucy, on Saturday, October 25, party members met with residents who said that the water flowing from their taps was discoloured, foul-smelling, and unsafe to drink. One resident described the water as having “the colour of mauby” and said that consuming it often caused nausea and stomach upset. Others reported that after bathing their skin itched, and that their household filters turned dark brown within days of use.

“We are paying for water we can’t drink or cook with,” one resident said. “It’s unfair that we have to buy bottled water on top of paying a full water bill.”

FOD President Karina Goodridge said that it should be clear that “water should be clear and not posing health issues.” She stressed that access to clean water was not a privilege but a basic right, and described the situation in St Lucy as a clear failure of essential service delivery.

The party called on the BWA and the government to act urgently, stating that “water is vital to life, and the lives of these residents must be treated as equally important as those in other parishes.” It also urged that the discount remain in effect until the issue is fully resolved, noting that many residents were being forced to purchase bottled water while still receiving high bills.

In its statement, the party expressed disappointment that neither the Member of Parliament for the area nor the Opposition had offered a lasting solution to the crisis. “It is deeply troubling that after more than five years, no meaningful action has been taken,” the statement read. “The people of St Lucy deserve better. They deserve leadership that values their health and dignity.”

The Friends of Democracy said it would continue to highlight the issue until the residents of Durham and other affected communities received the same clean, safe, and reliable water supply available to citizens across Barbados.

“Water is life,” the party concluded. “And the people of Durham and the rest of the affected areas in St Lucy have waited long enough.”
(PR)