Regulatory framework
An Act to make better provision for the conservation, control, apportionment and use of water resources of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and for purposes incidental thereto and connected therewith
It mandates NIA, in collaboration with the CWSA, to investigate the water resources of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and advise the Minister on matters relating to improving or expanding existing irrigation schemes and creating new irrigation schemes.
It charges the Director of Forestry with the protection and preservation of water resources in forest reserves, cooperative forests, conservation areas and along streams and rivers in cooperation with the CWSA and Saint Vincent Electricity Services.
It defines the functions of the Public Health Department, which include “to promote the public health and the prevention, limitation and suppression of communicable or preventable diseases within Saint Vincent”
It further emphasizes pollution control. It is the responsibility of the Minister to regulate, monitor and control the actual and likely contamination or pollution of the environment from any source
The National Climate Change Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The goal of this Policy is to build resilience to climate change and its integration into the national development agenda for low carbon and sustainable growth in order to achieve a high level of well-being and quality of life for Vincentians.
The National Adaptation Plan is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this Plan is 12 years between 2018 and 2030, including two main implementation phases. The overall objective of this Plan is to mainstream climate change adaptation to all relevant sectors at all levels with a gender-sensitive approach.
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, develop synergies with CARICOM/CSME, mobilize resources for implementation, strengthen the capacity of the OECS agricultural environment, and mitigate and adapt to climate change by ensuring water resources for sustainable development.
Institutional Framework
It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Environment, empowered by Law No. 17 of 1991 to "investigate the water resources of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and advise the Minister in relation to the improvement, preservation, conservation, utilization and distribution of said resources". The law also indicates that the Authority will control the use of the resource for all other applications, including irrigation, industrial and commercial agriculture. The CWSA is responsible for the production and distribution of tap water in Saint Vincent and currently supplies 95% of its population.
Ensure food security, rural development and contribute to increased employment, real income and foreign exchange through programs that promote an enabling business environment for farmers, fishermen, forest users and other stakeholders, while ensuring the effective use and sustainability of natural resources. It has a Soil and Water Conservation Unit.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located on the Windward Islands, just north of Venezuela and the twin republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The entire nation has an area of 389 km², of which 345 km² on the main island of San Vicente. Approximately oval shaped, the main island, San Vicente, is located north of the archipelago. Has approximately 29 km long and 18 km wide at both ends. Its capital is Kingstown, located in a large protected harbour to the southwest of the island. The Grenadines comprise some 32 islands and islets, the largest of which are Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
FAO
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The total population of the State is about 109,000 (2012 Census Report). The total population of the Grenadines is estimated at 10,000 inhabitants distributed among Bequia,Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island and Petit St. Vincent. The predominant uses of water are related to the domestic and commercial sector, irrigation and hydroelectricity production. Due to the lack of reliable data, it is difficult to quantify the exact percentage of water currently used for these uses. This demand for water can be expected to increase considerably in the coming years due to the expected development in the tourism and agricultural sectors.