THE EFFECT OF URBAN EXPANSION ON AQUIFER DEPOSITS IN BARBADOS

An evaluation of the effect of urban expansion and its related activities on aquifer deposits was conducted at Barbados Island. The study includes a geographical description of aquifers formations and identifies possible effects of man-made activities produced by urban expansion over geographic areas. This aquifer formation is the main water source for the Island. An important question to underlie is how the government and the Water Authority of Barbados manage this resource to keep the quality and quantity of this formation available for local population use? Published data as land use and land cover maps, hydrological data, visit to the island were conducted to collect data. Preliminary results showed an intensive urban expansion in the Island that may affect the quality of the aquifer of the study site. It was also found that due to the fact that more than half of Barbados’ income depends on tourism, it has become a very important factor that contributes to the scarcity and contamination problem. To reduce such impact on the aquifers, Barbados has developed a series of regulations that protect certain key areas of the island along with other methods used like desalination plants and million dollar programs accepted by Barbados’ Water Authority (BWA).