Regulatory framework
AN ACT to provide for a national water policy, to grant an exclusive license to the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited for the development and control of water supply and sewerage facilities in Dominica and for related or incidental purposes.
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This Act makes provisions for the orderly and progressive development of land in urban and rural areas and to preserve and improve the amenities thereof and for the grant of permission to develop land and for other powers of control over the use of land in Dominica.
An Act to provide for the establishment of a Corporation to be known as the Development and Planning Corporation, for the functions of the Corporation and for matters connected therewith or incidental there to.
The aim of which is to provide legislation to control and govern the cultivation and holdings of tenants and reduce the difficulties which arose between estate owners and their tenants as well as to encourage and foster better land use.
Crown Lands" means all lands within the Colony other than forest reserves within the meaning of the Forest Ordinance vested in the Crown or vested in the Administrator for the public uses of the Colony and shall include all lands which have been bequeathed to the Crown or which may hereafter be otherwise acquired by the Crown.
This Act applies to agricultural land and establishes the Dominica Land Management Authority and provides for its powers and functions (arts. 3 and 24).
Law establishing provisions for the conservation and maintenance of the environment in the interest of health in general and in relation to places frequented by the public.571/.
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The National Forest Policy 2022 is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The main objectives of this policy are: (I) to maintain or enhance the biodiversity and ecological functioning of forests; (II) to increase the area of land covered by forest and other forest vegetation types; and (III) to optimize the contribution of forest resources to livelihoods and to the economy.
The Dominica Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 10 years between 2020 and 2030. The Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan reflects three pillars of resilience: (I) climate resilient systems, (II) prudent disaster risk management systems, and (III) effective disaster response and recovery.
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 Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited (DOWASCO) is a registered company wholly owned by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. DOWASCO was established by an act of Parliament - Water and Sewerage Act #17. DOWASCO is committed to improving people's quality of life by providing quality water at affordable prices - Our National Treasure - and sewage services, developing our Human Resources and applying innovation in an environmentally sustainable manner.
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Dominica Electricity Services Limited (DOMLEC) is currently the sole electricity supply company in the Commonwealth of Dominica, the third largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean (754 square kilometers) and with approximately 75,000 inhabitants.
Environmental Coordination Unit Promote environmental sustainability through modern resilience practices, policies and programs.
There are about 365 rivers and streams emanating from 35 watershed areas into which the island is divided. The ten largest rivers are the Indian, Picard, Layou, Roseau, Blenheim, Hampstead, Clyde, Pagua, Castle Bruce and Rosalie rivers. Most rivers originate on the slopes of the central mountain ranges, while a few originate as outcrops of underground springs along low-lying valleys. Other Caribbean countries consider Dominica as an alternative source of water supply in times of need.There is a large sewerage system servicing the capital, Roseau, with a minimal treatment; and two small sewerage systems which service the areas of Cane Field and Jimmit, with no treatment. In most areas, the dominant method of wastewater disposal is by septic tank.
Dominica
Water Action Hub
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Most water withdrawn is surface water and the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) produces approximately 45 million l/day (16.4 million m3 /year) of drinking water from about 47 independent river intakes. The largest of the water systems has a supply capacity of over 16.3 million l/day, for the capital Roseau and its environs. This system serves a population of about 25 000 people. Two other systems have a supply capacity of about 5.3 million l/day, whilst the other systems are much smaller serving communities with populations usually less than 1000. These supply systems are generally more than adequate to satisfy the demands of the communities. However, at some periods during the dry season, intermittent shortages can be experienced in a few of the systems.