Barbados Secures $80 Million Loan for Major Water System Upgrade

Barbados Secures $80 Million Loan for Major Water System Upgrade

Recently the government of Barbados has set out to solve one of its most urgent issues: water scarcity.  Recognizing that the current water system is aging and outdated, the government, led by the prime minister Mia Amor Mottley, is ready to make an 80-million-dollar investment. 

How Old Technology and Salinization are Jeopardizing Barbados’ Water Supply

Despite being surrounded by miles of sea, freshwater is scarce on the island of Barbados and it ranks among the world’s most water-stressed countries. 

This precious resource is mainly pumped from underground aquifers through wells and boreholes, using very careful methods to ensure that overpumping does not occur.

Currently, underground water sources are increasingly at risk as rising sea levels lead to saltwater intrusion into aquifers. Furthermore, the current water system relies on aging infrastructure and old technology and from multiple deficiencies, directly affecting the service supply: for every gallon of water extracted approximately 40 to 50 percent is lost before it reaches people’s houses. 

Barbados Secures a Loan and is Ready to Enhance its Water Systems

The government has secured an 80-million-dollar loan, which the Prime minister Mia Amor Mottley considers “…an investment in water to make us resilient”. The Inter American Development bank granted the loan which will be disbursed in stages over a period of five years. 

55 million are destined to make core interventions and structural replacements in the network.  This is expected to address one of the system's most vulnerable flanks: frequent service disruptions.

Another 20 million will be invested in non-revenue water management. This measure will help improve efficiency and reduce loss, resulting in more water getting to each Barbadian home. 

About $2.5 million will be allocated for training and technical assistance. The program aims to give the Barbados Water Authority broader access to innovative measures while fostering awareness on water conservation in the communities. 

Finally, another 2.5 million will finance the program’s administration. It will be used to sustain a dedicated staff to implement necessary follow-up, evaluations and audits. This unit will be in charge of monitoring, supervising, and implementing the plan.  

Addressing Water Scarcity in Barbados is Urgent

The freshwater scarcity is the result of a combination of things, starting with the island’s peculiar soil, lack of rainfall, and land development. With a karst landscape, where caves and sinkholes are abundant, streams tend to disappear under the bedrock rather than flow freely. 

The rise of the seas causes underground streams to salinize while the lack of rain prevents them from refilling properly. Furthermore, due to urban development, formerly fine for perforation terrains are now paved and impossible to access. 

Considering the situation, this new measure by the government seems timely and utterly necessary to protect the water supply of the Bajan people, and assure availability of this valuable resource for a long time.