I am pleased to address you on the importance and significance of World Water Day focusing on the theme, “Valuing Water”. The idea for this international day dates back to 1992, the year in which the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,  held in Rio de Janeiro adopted a resolution by which the 22nd day of March each year was declared World Water Day with the first observance starting in 1993.

The objective is to raise awareness on the global water crises affecting many nations around the world. It brings into focus the importance of freshwater and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It further provides an opportunity to disseminate much needed information on water related issues in an effort to inspire governments, citizens and corporate entities to collaborate and take action to manage the world’s water resources in a responsible manner, so that future generations will be in a position to inherit this most important and valuable resource.

Among the critical information disseminated to the world at this time, is the fact that almost 2.2 billion people in the world are living without access to safe drinking water and the numbers living without access to sanitation or waste water services is even much greater. The observance of this day therefore is a call to take action to tackle the global water crisis and position the world towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) with Goal 6: being “water and sanitation for all by 2030”.

This year’s theme ‘Valuing Water’ calls to mind the importance and meaning of water to us.

The value of water can be appreciated from various angles such as;

• For the continued production of food, as agriculture alone accounts for 70% of freshwater supply worldwide;
• In construction and manufacturing for the production of the majority of goods, products and infrastructure;
• In the preservation of health and wellness and for maintaining the eco systems upon which life depends; and
• Most critically in recent times for cleaning and sanitization as we battle the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Realizing the importance of this precious resource and ensuring it is well managed is therefore imperative to ensure its sustainability and continued development and access.

At this juncture I believe it is fitting for us to take a pause and examine our own circumstances here in Dominica. We currently enjoy an abundance of water whereas our neighbours just minutes away have scarcity year-round.

The Government of Dominica however has not taken this for granted but instead, in recognition of this most important resource to the livelihood of our citizens, the Government of Dominica sought to not just attain the aim of the SDGs but sought to ensure all our citizens are provided with safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation.

By the end of 2015 Dominica was well on the way to achieving this when Tropical Storm Erika disrupted 30% of our water supply infrastructure, eroding the gains made over several years. The total value of damages and losses amounted to XCD 52.5 million.

The Government and the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) spared no efforts at restoring the water systems and by the end of 2016 Dominica was again experiencing water coverage of approximately 95% and the main sanitation system for the city of Roseau and environs was restored.

After achieving this progress post Tropical Storm Erica, Hurricane Maria struck in 2017, destroying 45% of our infrastructure with an estimated cost of  damages and losses of XCD 104 million.

Again, given Government’s emphasis on water supply and waste water management, DOWASCO was assisted to get its water systems functioning. We could therefore proudly boast that by the end of 2017, just five months after such a major disaster, 90% of all existing water systems were again functioning.

But will these achievements are remarkable, we would have much preferred if our water systems remained unscathed and functioning post these disasters. It is for this reason the Government has embarked on building a resilient water sector as part of its overall objective to making Dominica the First Climate Resilience Nation of the World.

I am pleased to state today that we are working steadily on this goal with the completion of the first phase of a Water Sector Strategic Development Plan (WSSDP) quickly approaching.  Phase two of this plan will see upgrades to the West Coast, East Coast, Roseau Valley and Calibishie water systems and the construction of a new sanitation system for Jimmit. Actual construction of these more robust water networks is scheduled to begin by the end of 2021.

There will also be a component for strengthening of the institutional capacity of DOWASCO to ensure adequate maintenance of these systems to guarantee sustainability.

Fellow citizens, the investment under this Water Sector Strategic Development Plan is costing the Government of Dominica XCD 90 million. The Government of Dominica and DOWASCO are assisted with the development of this plan by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

In addition, current investments of XCD 51 million is made towards the upgrade of Water Area 1, the rehabilitation of the Bagatelle water supply, the development of the Morne Prosper water supply and the installation of PV Power Supply at the Tete Morne and Jimmit Pump Stantions.

This year’s theme for World Water Day therefore, bears significance for Dominica as we do not only look at the cost of providing water and waste water services which many would consider prohibitive, but in valuing our water, we also consider not just the expenses but also the very need of water to our daily lives.

Let us therefore embrace every opportunity to play our part in the sustainability of this precious resource, Our Water…. Our Treasure….. Our life!!

I Thank You!!