Regulatory framework
An Act to provide for the development and control of water supply and sewerage facilities in Trinidad and Tobago and sanitation matters relating thereto; promoting the conservation and appropriate use of water resources; and for the establishment of an Authority to administer the various aforementioned purposes and matters related thereto.
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Law that regulates various matters related to the control and use of water in Trinidad and Tobago.
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The primary objective of the WPR is to enable industries in Trinidad and Tobago to reduce the levels of pollutants in their effluents (point discharges), thereby improving the overall quality of inland and coastal water resources. With these new rules, polluters will be more responsible for their actions.
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They aim to prevent water erosion of soils, the most important environmental problem associated with agricultural production. This not only causes damage to the soil that is eroded but also to the landscape sites where sediments are deposited and the aquatic ecosystems to which the soil is exported.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GTRT), in its comprehensive policy for the improvement of the water sector, is committed to "managing the country's water resources, to provide not only a reliable supply of water to meet current demands of all, but also to ensure the sustainability of the country's available water supply and resources to meet the needs of future generations." To achieve this objective, the GTRT intends to adopt and apply the Integrated Water Resources Management approach ( IWRM), which is recognized as the best international practice for water sector management.
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The Environmental Management Act aims to ensure the protection, conservation, improvement and rational use of the environment of Trinidad and Tobago. The Environmental Management Act created the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and established its composition, administration, financing and function.
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Institutional Framework
To be a leading provider of water and wastewater services. Provide customer service in accordance with the strictest internationally recognized and accepted standards. Continually develop best business practices using advanced technology and a well-trained and motivated workforce. Take advantage of the sector's experience to offer global water and sanitation services.
It is responsible for promoting the rational use and management of renewable natural resources, with the aim of achieving sustainable development of the agricultural sector and contributing to the conservation of biological diversity. It has among its divisions the Soil and Water Division. This division has under its aegis the Department of Water Use and Management (DUMA)
We are committed to sustainably managing natural resources and the environment by providing a transparent framework that facilitates policy development and development decision-making. This will be carried out within an approved regulatory system, using intensive public education and a collaborative cross-sector approach.
The country has a tropical, warm and humid climate. The average annual rainfall of the country is 2 200 mm. The average annual rainfall in Trinidad is 2,000 mm. The evapotranspiration rate is very high and in some areas accounts for up to 60 per cent of the total precipitation received. In Tobago the average rainfall is 1 900 mm, ranging from 3 800 mm in the main mountain range to less than 1 250 mm in the southwestern lowlands.In 2011, 94% of the total population had access to improved water sources (97% and 93% in urban and rural areas respectively). In 2012, 92 per cent of the total population had access to improved sanitation (in both urban and rural areas). Since the oil boom of the 1970s, agriculture has continued to decline, both in terms of domestic production and exports.Sugar, cocoa beans, coffee and citrus fruits are the main agricultural products. There are 55 watersheds in Trinidad and 15 in Tobago.
Trinidad and Tobago
FAO
Links of interest:
Large-scale surface water use has been limited to four rivers in Trinidad and Tobago. These are the Caroni and Oropouche rivers in the North Basin, and Navet in the Central Range in Trinidad, and the Hillsborough River in Tobago, which is the main source of supply for Scarborough and southwestern Tobago.