The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved the $54.7 million Barbados Water Security and Sector Performance Program, with measures focused on reducing water losses, expanding sanitation coverage and strengthening governance in the water sector.
Barbados is among the world’s most water-stressed countries, with groundwater supplying 86% of its water needs. According to the World Bank, the island is already drawing close to the maximum sustainable volume from its aquifers, while demand for water is expected to rise by 30% by 2050.
At the same time, operational inefficiencies remain a major challenge. The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) currently loses around half of the water it produces before it reaches end users due to infrastructure leaks, metering inaccuracies and revenue collection gaps. Sanitation also remains a concern, with roughly 80% of the country’s land area exposed to risks of groundwater contamination linked to inadequate sewage management. This has implications not only for public health, but also for coastal ecosystems that support tourism and employment.
The five-year programme will be delivered by the BWA and is structured around three main components. These include operational improvements at the utility through the involvement of a private sector partner, upgrades to metering and billing systems, and actions to cut non-revenue water. The initiative will also support 2,000 new household sewer connections and the development of regulations for the safe collection and treatment of wastewater.
A further component focuses on institutional strengthening, including the creation of a national groundwater monitoring system and a coordination mechanism intended to align water resource management with broader agricultural, energy and climate planning.
“By improving how the utility operates, expanding sanitation, and strengthening water governance, this program directly supports economic growth and resilience in Barbados. Over the lifetime of the project the program is expected to generate and protect up to 58,000 jobs," said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean.
The Barbados initiative is the first phase of the Caribbean Regional Water Security Program, which also includes Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. Financing includes a $4.7 million grant and $50 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
