2020 Water Protection And Land Use Zoning Policy.

The 2020 Water Protection And Land Use Zoning Policy aims to protect public supply wells from above-ground sources of pollution and coastal waters from land-based sources of marine pollution through an integrated mix of legislative, technical, economic and social interventions. The objectives of the policy are: (i) prevention of groundwater, storm water and coastal water contamination; (ii) utilization of the most cost-effective water and wastewater treatment technologies that meet the appropriate standards; and (iii) provision sufficient information to policymakers for informed, evidence-based decision making.
This policy recommends a new approach, a new philosophy towards the management of water resources. It outlines the recommended principles to steer a new comprehensive strategy, along with the scientific and technical tenets that the new policy should adhere to: maximization of the economic value of both land and water resources; prevention of chemical and biological pollution from entering the groundwater; addressing all major sources of water pollution (e.g. agricultural, industrial, domestic); polluter pays principle; access to the best available data; collaboration and partnerships amongst agencies in the overall sustainable management of the water resources; and categorization of water uses and development of appropriate water quality standards for each proposed category of end use.
The document discusses the current policy for groundwater protection zoning, highlights its advantages and limitations, and suggests a comprehensive method for safeguarding all water resources on the island, encompassing both inland and coastal waters. The expected outcomes of the new policy are: (I) stricter control of chemical usage and disposal, including agrochemicals; (II) strengthening sewerage system in densely populated sites for the protection of drinking water supply; (III) improvement of domestic wastewater disposal; (IV) protection of groundwater and coastal waters whether by sewage treatment, wetlands, or other acceptable means as deemed appropriate, (V) use of proven technologies to remove contaminants from drinking water, where necessary, and (VI) the establishment of a new Water Resources Agency.
The Water Resources Agency shall be established to take over the management of water resources from the Barbados Water Authority as well as enforce the groundwater protection system. The Agency will be responsible for the enforcement of zoning regulations; assessment of effectiveness of zoning system; evaluation of impact of new development projects on groundwater; long-term monitoring of groundwater quality; groundwater vulnerability and risk assessment and mapping; monitoring of groundwater levels and groundwater use; administration of the groundwater abstraction licensing scheme; water resources assessment; monitoring of surface water; evaluation of water reuse strategies; and research and identification of new sources of water. Best management practices for agricultural chemical applications, irrigation, animal husbandry and animal waste disposal practices will be developed, implemented, monitored and controlled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Furthermore, a water and sanitation surveillance framework will be established with specific responsibility for the management of public health issues relevant to water and waste disposal. Public health sanitary standards for public and private water production, processing, supply, transport, storage and distribution systems will be developed and enforced.