Dominica

Main Water Issues

Surface water supplies in Dominica are plentiful, relatively free of pollution, and more than capable of meeting the entire demand of the island; for that reason, groundwater is a mostly unexploited resource. Perhaps due to this natural abundance, however, the small island nation suffers from water wastage, most notably in the form of significant water leakage—up to 60% in urban areas. However, a $52 million project undertaken in the year 2000 and the implementation of metering for all consumers should drastically reduce leakage rates.

This information gathered from a national report created by the United Nations Environmental Program, which can be found here:

http://www.cep.unep.org/programmes/amep/GEF-IWCAM/Dominica/dom.htm

Water Legislation

Water and Sewerage Act

Act 17 of 1989

Description: This act regulates the Dominica Water and Sewage Company, water abstraction and use, and pollution.

Abstract: In keeping with the stated policy of seeing to the orderly development, use and conservation of water resources, and providing the public with dependable supply and sewerage services (sec. 3), the statute (a) provides a framework of rules for the management of the country's abundant stock of water resources, and (b) divests the government of the water supply and sewerage utility function and vests this function in a limited liability company, namely, the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO).

Other Important Environmental Legislation

Physical Planning Act N° 5

Pages 1-59

Pages 60-117

Created: 2002