St Lucy MP Peter Phillips demanded a public apology from the Barbados Water Authority after a top official said the brown, discoloured water troubling northern residents was safe to drink, calling the comment “careless and insensitive”.
In the House of Assembly on Tuesday, during debate on legislation granting River Bay residents ownership of the land they have occupied for decades, Phillips said the remarks by the official were “unfortunate” and “disrespectful” to the people of St Lucy, who he said have been grappling with unreliable and discoloured water supplies for years.
“I want to ask the public officer from the floor of this House to withdraw that comment with relation to the water being drinkable or to drink it,” Phillips said. “I ain’t going to drink brown water. None of us in here would do it. Withdraw that statement and apologise to the people of St Lucy for that comment.”
The call followed a public statement last month by Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Water Authority, Christopher Mapp, who said that despite its discolouration, the water in St Lucy and St Peter was safe for consumption. “All indications show that the water is potable,” Mapp said during a press conference at the BWA headquarters. “Would I feel comfortable drinking it? Yes. If other persons are not comfortable drinking it I would not tell them to do anything that they are not comfortable doing. But I myself would be comfortable drinking that water.”
The utility has faced public backlash over repeated complaints of brown water flowing from taps across northern parishes. Mapp reported that the authority has spent nearly $20m on mains replacement, including $7m since April, and expects the project to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. Water quality technologist Jatobi Greaves said tests confirmed that the water met health and safety standards, noting that while sediment caused the colour, “it would not affect the safety of the water”.
Phillips said that while he recognised the efforts of BWA staff to improve supply in the north, the comment had caused unnecessary offence. “That same officer is working hard as head of the mains replacement team to better the situation in St Lucy,” he said. “It is just a mistake and I would ask him simply to come, apologise and let us move forward as he continues to work hard in this particular respect.”
Reliable access to clean water was essential for residents, particularly as the government moves to grant them ownership of their lots, the St Lucy MP said. “In order for the people to enjoy life and to truly be happy and celebrate as they take up the possession or the offer to own their lots, there are a number of amenities that must be in place,” he said. “One of those amenities is clean, running, proper water.”
Phillips also identified other issues in St Lucy that require urgent attention, including road reinstatement works following mains replacement, the condition of Crab Hill roads, and coastal damage from Hurricane Beryl last year. He said he was working closely with government ministries and agencies to ensure that these matters were properly resolved.
“There are many problems, there are issues to be dealt with across Barbados,” he said. “There are many issues in St Lucy, but one by one, we are addressing them. We are dealing with the brown water, we are dealing with coastal management, we are dealing with the roads. My voice will not be silent if there are issues that affect the people of St Lucy and the issues go unaddressed.”
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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