Turks and Caicos Islands

The institutional and regulatory framework for water management in the Turks and Caicos Islands is limited
to water supply management and, to a much lesser extent, wastewater management. Water demand
management, water supply planning, protection of underground water quality, and the monitoring and
regulation of desalination are all lacking (DEPS, 2007b). The National Socio-economic Development Strategy
aims to address these deficiencies and deliver a sustainable water supply, as well as addressing previously
neglected aspects of water resources management, including: water demand management; ecological
health and water quality; catchment protection; water conservation; wastewater management; and storm
water and flood control (DEPS, 2007b). The Strategy aims to adopt an “Integrated Water Cycle
Management” (IWCM) approach which will improve the management of water resources and reform the
water sector by:
1. Ensuring sustainable water use in promoting a productive economy;
2. Maximising efficiency and effectiveness of water use and reuse;
3. Setting goals for water conservation and maintaining water quality;
4. Developing an appropriate structure for the management of water resources; and
5. Committing to actions for integrated water management based on managing short and long term
risks to water resources.
(DEPS, 2007b)
In order to achieve this, the National Socio-economic Development Strategy calls for the development of a
National IWCM Policy and Action Plan and the creation of an institution with the main responsibility for
water resources management. This institution would have the responsibility for the:
1. Implementation of measures detailed in the IWCM Policy and Action Plan;
2. Monitoring and managing all the country’s water resources (ground water, sea water, storm water)
and water quality;
3. Establishment of an appropriate system for monitoring and regulating the performance of
desalination plants and sewage treatment plants;
4. Undertaking necessary studies and analysis to determine water budgets, water demand;
5. Collection and management of water resources data and information;
6. Conservation of water and management of water demands through public education and
awareness and building partnerships and relationships with water users and managers; and
7. Establishment of a mechanism to communicate with water sector stakeholders.
(DEPS, 2007b)
The development of the IWCM is being led by the Department of Water Undertaking with a total budget of
US $5.2M between 2008 and 2017 (DEPS, 2007a). This will be supported by an appropriate legislative
framework, after Government review of current legislation (DEPS, 2007a).
The National Socio-economic Development Strategy additionally aims to strengthen the environmental
regulatory and policy framework allowing sustainable environmental management and protection through
compliance and enforcement with a new Environmental Permitting Legislation. Among other things, this
aims to: establish a multi-disciplinary Environmental Advisory Council and an Appeal Board; strengthen
current the Environmental Monitoring and Compliance system; establish the baseline condition of natural
resources and ecosystems (DEPS, 2007a). The Strategy also addresses climate change adaptation, for which
it calls for a multi-sectoral approach, and the development of a Climate Change Adaptation Policy and
Action Plan. In a first step towards this, in February 2011 a Green Paper for climate change was published
(Climate Change Committee, 2011). This is intended to help facilitate consultations and discussions with
stakeholders about a viable climate change strategy for the Turks and Caicos Islands (Climate Change
Committee, 2011). In the Green Paper, the following climate change adaptation strategies are given for
water resources:
5. Educate the public on water conservation measures.
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