The Democratic Labour Party(DLP) has issued a statement calling on the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) to act with greater urgency and sensitivity in addressing the ongoing water issues affecting residents of St David’s, Christ Church.
Ian Griffith, the party’s spokesperson on Transport and Works, Housing and Infrastructure said he and a team that included former candidate for the constituency of Christ Church East Central Quincy Jones, visited residents on Monday and while some spoke openly about the severe disruption caused by the unreliable water supply, the strongest frustration was poor communication and engagement by the BWA.
He said residents expressed anger and disappointment at what they described as “inadequate updates and poor responsiveness, leaving communities uncertain about when relief can be expected”.
“No direct information has been forthcoming about the cause of the issue, what is being done, if anything, and when normalcy will be restored. These concerns highlight the urgent need for a more transparent and people-centred approach by the BWA and the relevant Government agencies,” Griffith stated.
He also reported that residents were concerned about prolonged outages, inconsistent water tanker deliveries, and extremely low water pressure whenever service is restored. Many explained that these conditions have persisted for months, severely affecting cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, and the overall well-being of families, particularly the elderly, children, and those with medical conditions.
The DLP, he said, is calling on the BWA, and by extension the minister responsible for BWA, to conduct a walk-about in the affected districts and host a town hall meeting to speak with residents
about the source of the problem, why it is taking so long and what steps are being taken to rectify the issue.
“Residents deserve not only dependable access to water, but also honest communication and meaningful engagement during difficult periods. The people of St David’s must be heard and immediate action is needed to improve the level of service being provided,” Griffith said.
The party is recommending the BWA improve its communication through regular updates via social media, radio, SMS alerts, and community notices; establish and publish a consistent water supply schedule so residents can better prepare; increase the reliability and frequency of water tanker deliveries, especially in the hardest-hit districts; deploy additional water storage tanks in strategic communities; create a dedicated rapidresponse team to assist vulnerable residents and households and accelerate repairs and maintenance in areas experiencing recurring disruptions and ageing pipelines.
The DLP, said Griffith, will continue engaging communities, listening to residents, and advocating for practical solutions that put people first. ( PR/AC)
