The Friends of Democracy (FOD) political party has called on the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) to implement a 50 per cent discount on water bills for residents of St Lucy, who have been grappling with a severe water crisis for over five years. During a community outreach event in Durham, St Lucy, on October 25, party members engaged with locals who reported that their tap water was discoloured, foul-smelling, and unfit for consumption. One resident likened the water’s appearance to ‘the colour of mauby’ and shared that drinking it often led to nausea and stomach discomfort. Others revealed that bathing caused skin irritation and that household water filters turned dark brown within days of use. ‘We’re paying for water we can’t use for drinking or cooking,’ a resident lamented. ‘It’s unjust that we have to buy bottled water while still paying full water bills.’ FOD President Karina Goodridge emphasized that clean water is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and condemned the situation as a failure in essential service delivery. The party urged the BWA and the government to act swiftly, asserting that the lives of St Lucy residents should be valued equally to those in other parishes. They also demanded that the proposed discount remain in place until the crisis is resolved, highlighting the financial burden of purchasing bottled water alongside high water bills. The FOD expressed disappointment in the lack of action from local representatives and the opposition, stating, ‘It’s deeply troubling that after five years, no meaningful steps have been taken. The people of St Lucy deserve leadership that prioritizes their health and dignity.’ The party vowed to continue advocating for a resolution until all affected communities receive the same clean, safe, and reliable water supply enjoyed by other Barbadians. ‘Water is life,’ the FOD concluded, ‘and the people of Durham and St Lucy have waited long enough.’
Friends of Democracy: 50% water bill discount for St Lucy residents amid water crisis
