The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has entered into a $700,000 grant agreement with the Government of Barbados to help reduce water losses and upgrade the island's outdated water infrastructure.
This non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement, signed yesterday at the Barbados Water Authority's Head Office, will support technical studies, engineering designs, and the preparation of tender documents to enhance water delivery systems throughout the island.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who was present at the signing ceremony along with CAF’s Regional Manager Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy and Acting CEO of the Barbados Water Authority Christopher Mapp, emphasized the importance of addressing water security as a key component of the country’s climate resilience strategy.
At the ceremony, Prime Minister Mottley emphasized, “We have made it clear that the primary focus of the climate crisis in Barbados is water.” She highlighted that the island currently loses approximately 42 percent of its produced water due to issues within its distribution system.
“Non-revenue water, which refers to the water lost through leaks and other inefficiencies, poses a significant challenge due to our aging infrastructure,” Mottley explained. She added that “this grant from CAF will assist the Barbados Water Authority in better managing the network and reducing these losses.”
The funding is part of CAF’s Water Sector Pre-Investment Program (PPSA), which aids governments in identifying, designing, and structuring infrastructure investments to enhance water security and service delivery.
Dr. Richards-Kennedy highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “Water is one of our most vital resources. CAF is proud to support Barbados in enhancing its water sector and improving service delivery for its citizens. This new technical cooperation further underscores our commitment to helping the country develop a more efficient and resilient water system.”
This agreement comes on the heels of CAF’s recent High-Level Technical Workshop on Water and Sanitation in the Caribbean, where the bank shared insights from a Regional Water Diagnostic Study that pinpointed challenges within the region's water supply systems.
This grant is part of CAF's continued commitment to supporting Barbados' water sector. The bank previously funded the $10 million Barbados Water Rehabilitation Project, which is now 90 percent complete. This initiative focuses on upgrading existing infrastructure, such as pipelines, reservoirs, and pump stations. Once completed, the project is anticipated to enhance water supply for over 80,000 residents. Additionally, CAF has contributed to the creation of a long-term master plan to direct the development of water and sanitation services in Barbados for the next thirty years.
