Regulatory framework
The National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) is derived from the Physical Planning Act, 2003. Its objective is to provide a national strategic spatial development framework that addresses current development problems and serves as a platform for viable sector development initiatives. public and private, reflecting local cultural values and aspirations for the next twenty years. The Sustainable Island Resources Management Zoning Plan (SIRMZP) 2012 is intended as a revised NPDP that meets the criteria of the Physical Planning Law.
A law for the protection and sustainable management of the environment, to establish the effective allocation of administrative responsibilities for environmental management, undertaking and coordinating environmental management and related activities, incorporating international treaty obligations with respect to the environment in national affairs and related to legislation. Establish and consolidate in a legal regime the application of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements and provide the framework financial mechanism to apply the Law.
All watercourses and waterworks shall continue to vest in the Crown (sect. 3). The Director of Public Works shall control, manage, maintain and supervise all watercourses and waterworks and shall provide an adequate water supply for water consumers (sect. 4). The Director of Works may make regulations with respect to matters listed in section 5 and levy a general water rate or a water service rate (sect. 5). The legislative Council may declare any watercourse to be subject to the provisions of this Ordinance (sect. 9). For purposes of this Ordinance, the Administrator in Council may declare an area to be a watershed. (19 sections)
The national IWRM policy is not intended to specifically address all water-related issues per se in the country, and should not be considered a draft national water sector policy, but rather an IWRM political statement, intended to focus on the integration of strategies and activities that can contribute to improving national policies and plans on water, wastewater, land management and disaster preparedness.
The Strategy for the Protection of the Environment and the Sustainable Development is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this Strategy is 2 years covering 2017 and 2018. This Strategy lays down the new duties and responsibilities of the Department of Environment for the effective management and protection of the environment, due to its transformation from the Division of Environment to the Department of Environment.
The Corporation shall: (a) stimulate, facilitate and undertake the development of agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda and carry out, operate and participate in such Agricultural projects as the Minister may approve; (b) develop and manage plantations and other agricultural land for purposes of developing the private sector; and (c) prepare and subsequently administer agricultural development schemes as approved by the Minister. The Minister may give directions to the Corporation of a general character and the Corporation shall have regulation-making powers for purposes of carrying into effect provisions of this Act.
The Plan aims to address desertification, land degradation, and drought in response to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The plan seeks to establish a national response system that uses indicators and modern technologies to assess vulnerability, predict, monitor, and evaluate the impact of these conditions. The plan is structured around five main operational objectives: 1) Advocacy, awareness-raising, and education, to improve public understanding and commitment to desertification and land degradation issues; 2) Policy framework, to develop and strengthen policies that support sustainable land management; 3) Science, technology, and knowledge, to promote research and technological development in areas such as hydrology and geographic information systems; 4) Capacity building, to strengthen national institutions and community capacity to manage land degradation; and 5) Financing and technology transfer, to ensure the resources necessary to effectively implement the plan.
The Sustainable Island Resource Management Zoning Plan strategy proposes a series of specific actions to address natural resource management in a sustainable and strategic manner. These actions include establishing land use practices that promote environmental conservation, managing and protecting specific areas through zoning and specific regulations, and strengthening institutional capacities to manage resources effectively and sustainably. Emphasis is placed on the importance of integrating environmental considerations into all planning and development activities to ensure the protection of critical ecosystems and promote balanced development. In addition, the strategy contemplates the implementation of technological and methodological tools to improve water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts. It seeks to foster community participation and improve resource governance through education, public awareness, and collaboration among various sectors. This includes the development of sustainable infrastructure and the promotion of economic practices that do not compromise the island's environmental health.
The Plan's main objective is to transform the agricultural sector in OECS Member States, seeking to reduce poverty and improve food and nutritional security. This plan responds to the challenges posed by international changes and previous institutional difficulties, refocusing the approach towards private sector-led strategies, the integration of poverty considerations into commercial supply chains, and the development of synergies with broader CARICOM/CSME programs. In addition, the plan emphasizes climate change adaptation and mitigation, and strengthening program management, monitoring, and evaluation capacity in the OECS Secretariat. The program priorities are condensed into six main areas for action, highlighting the promotion of market-oriented agriculture to alleviate poverty and food and nutrition insecurity, develop and promote agrotourism services, developing synergies with CARICOM/CSME, mobilizing resources for implementation, strengthening the capacity of the OECS agricultural environment, and mitigating and adapting to climate change by securing water resources for sustainable development.
Institutional Framework
The Antigua Public Services Authority is a tripartite government agency created under the Public Services Act No. 10 of 1973 (and its subsequent amendments) to ensure that consumers receive the best possible value for money in telecommunications services ( including mobile telephony and Internet), electricity and water. The formulation of policies and the introduction of legislation necessary to successfully fulfill the mission of the APUA is the responsibility of the Minister responsible for Public Services, who is a member of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda. The day-to-day running of the organization is headed by the CEO, who is assisted by a management team. Supervision is carried out by the Council of Commissioners, also appointed by the Cabinet.
Contribute, in the short term, to the increase in food supply to the region and, in the medium term, to the stability of the agricultural sector, food and nutritional security and the reduction of hunger and poverty. Over time, these successes will allow CARDI to help the sector become a significant driver of the region's sustainable development agenda.
It is responsible for policy, legislation, general supervision and administrative management of operations relating to the agricultural sector and its related agencies and institutions, as well as the affairs of Barbuda.
The total average rainfall of both islands is estimated at 453 million m3/year and the renewable water resources at about 52 million m3 /year.There are no perennial rivers in the country, only intermittent rivers where water flows during part of the year, which can then also be stored in ponds and reservoirs. Currently, the country's agricultural and municipal (domestic and commercial) water demand is met by four desalination plants, two surface water treatment plants, numerous small ponds and five wells.
Antigua and Barbuda
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In Antigua, with a population of approximately 88,000, there are approximately 43 active wells, with significant well fields located in the Bendals Valley, Bolands, and Collins areas. The island has three reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants/systems: the Sembcorp plant (5.1 million m3/year), the Blizzard Camp Plant (1.0 million m3/year), and the Ffryes Beach Plant (1.0 million m3/year), with a total desalination capacity of approximately 7.1 million m3/year.