Barbados is set to strengthen its water security after the World Bank approved a US$54.7 million programme to reduce water losses, expand sanitation services and improve governance in one of the world’s most water-scarce countries. The Barbados Water Security and Sector Performance Program will be implemented over five years by the Barbados Water Authority.
A water-scarce island
Barbados relies on groundwater for 86% of its water supply and is already extracting close to the safe annual limit. Demand is projected to rise by 30% by 2050, increasing pressure on reserves, households, tourism and agriculture.
Cutting losses
The Barbados Water Authority currently loses about half of all water produced before it reaches consumers, mainly through leaking pipes, inaccurate meters and billing gaps. The new programme will modernise operations, improve metering and billing, and bring in private-sector support to strengthen utility performance.
Sanitation and protection
The project will also support 2,000 new household sewage connections and introduce stronger rules for safe waste collection and treatment. This is important because around 80% of Barbados’ land area is vulnerable to groundwater contamination from poorly managed sewage disposal.
Jobs and resilience
The World Bank says the programme could generate and protect up to 58,000 jobs over its lifetime by improving water reliability, sanitation and sector governance. The financing includes US$50 million from IBRD and a US$4.7 million grant from the IBRD Surplus-Funded Livable Planet Fund.
A regional model
The Barbados programme is the first phase of the Caribbean Regional Water Security Program, which also covers Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. For small island economies facing climate stress, tourism exposure and limited freshwater reserves, water security is becoming core economic infrastructure.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 25 May 2026
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