The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) say no warning has been issued to Government by the World Health Organisation (WHO) about Barbados’ water supply and it remains safe to drink.
Responding to a social media post headlined Barbados’ Drinking Water Below World Health Organisation Standards, the two entities issued a joint statement last night refuting the allegations.
“Contrary to what is circulating on social media with regard to the quality of the water supply in Barbados, please note that no warning has been issued to the Government of Barbados by the World Health Organisation regarding failure to meet the WHO drinking water guidelines in Barbados. The potable water supplied by the Barbados Water Authority is safe for human consumption and all development activities.”
Monitoring programmes
It added: “The BWA, Ministry of Health and Wellness (MHW) and the Environmental Protection Department have rigorous and continuous monitoring programmes for both the water in the distribution system and from groundwater sources. Any breaches of the water quality guidelines are promptly addressed through standard protocols which are stipulated by EPD, MHW and WHO.”
In the online post, the origin of which remains unknown, it was stated: “Upon routine groundwater tests by the Environmental Protection Department, it was discovered that Barbados have violated and exceeded four safety guide limits and standards at various water pumping stations across the island and that is according to WHO guidelines on drinking water quality.”
It added that tests revealed sewage contamination in the water.
A check of the WHO website did not reveal any recent warnings, studies or concerns about Barbados’ water quality. However, the MIDWEEK NATION came across reports and studies online which indicated that while Barbados’ water was relatively safe to consume, contaminants were detected which should be monitored and controlled.
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For instance, on a website called
OlympianWaterTesting, an article published in 2023 entitled Alarming Water Quality Concerns In Barbados noted: “Barbados faces
severe water quality challenges, stemming from pollution, ageing infrastructure and over-exploitation of groundwater. Contaminants include bacterial pathogens, chemical pollutants, heavy metals and salt water intrusion. Regional disparities exist, with areas near industrial sites most affected . . . . Sustainable solutions and citizen involvement are vital for long-term improvement.”
It made reference to a 2020 report by the Caribbean Public Health Agency which found that about 15 to 20 per cent of water samples taken from certain areas of Barbados showed E.coli contamination, a bacterial pathogen commonly associated with poor sanitation and wastewater runoff.
It added: “Though levels were below the safe limit of 100 CFU/100ml set by the WHO, the presence of pathogens remains a concern for water safety.”
However, the report maintained that Barbados’ tap water “is generally considered safe and meets the required health standards”, adding: “The Barbados Water Authority ensures that the water undergoes extensive treatment and testing, making it safe for consumption in most areas.”
The website also made reference to a 2018 study by the University of the West Indies and financed by Emerging Leaders in the Americas Programme of the government of Canada, which found trace amounts of lead and mercury in some parts of the island’s groundwater.
That study noted: “While these heavy metals are present in low concentrations, they pose long-term health risks, especially in vulnerable populations. For instance, mercury levels were found to be as high as 0.001 mg/L, exceeding the WHO’s recommended limit of 0.0006 mg/L in certain areas.”
The authors of that study added: “Several micropollutants, including caffeine, artificial sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, steroid hormones and a current-use pesticide were analysed in water samples collected from five groundwater pumping stations in Barbados. The presence of caffeine and three artificial sweeteners (i.e. acesulfame, sucralose, saccharin) in groundwater samples indicated that groundwater was being contaminated by infiltration of wastewater into the karst aquifer.”
It added that sampling was conducted with the assistance of the BWA and Environmental Protection Department. (MB)
