Turks and Caicos Islands

particularly affected by higher water demand in comparison to available water resources (Kairi Consultants
Limited, 2000a).
The percentage of the population using an improved drinking water source was 98% in 2008 and 98% of
urban population had access to improved sanitation facilities (ECLAC, 2010); the majority of the population
(93%) lives in urban areas (ECLAC, 2010). Water sources on the islands vary depending on water demand of
the population and the economic activities which exist. Water is typically sourced from reverse osmosis
desalination of brackish underground water on the populated islands of Providenciales, Grand Turk and Salt
Cay (DEPS, 2007b), while on less populated islands, household water catchment systems which harvest
rainwater or from fresh water lenses beneath some of the islands (ECLAC, 2008). The formation of these
fresh water lenses results from factors such as amount and distribution of rainfall, amount and type of
vegetation, island size (particularly the width from ocean to lagoon side), together with hydrogeological
factors, tidal movement, island height above the sea level and width of the reef (Monteagudo and Miquel,
2000). Non-potable water resources including sea water and brackish groundwater are also utilized for, for
example, flushing toilets (Monteagudo and Miquel, 2000). Water demand is rising with increasing
development, and improvements in technology and operational efficiency have led to an increasing
number of private desalination plants (DEPS, 2007b). In the past, water supply was a limitation to socioeconomic
development – this situation has largely been solved through the use of desalination (DEPS,
2007b). Water is used for a variety of purposes including domestic water supply, tourism, irrigation and
sustaining ecosystems (DEPS, 2007b).
Many homes have sizeable cisterns to store water, which have been required by law (DEPS, 2007b), that
may be replenished either from rainwater or via truck borne water supplies (Kairi Consultants Limited,
2000a), and form the most common source of water for much of the Turks and Caicos Islands (ECLAC,
2008), particularly the less populated islands (DEPS, 2007b). Cisterns have been an important means of
reducing water shortages, especially during the passage of hurricane systems (ECLAC, 2008). For example,
after tropical storm Hanna and hurricane Ike, in islands which primarily use cisterns, water supply was not
an issue, except for temporary damage to piping or cuts in the electricity that stopped the pump of water,
fixed rapidly by the locals themselves (ECLAC, 2008). However, in Grand Turk, where water is produced
from desalination, water supplies were disrupted due to cuts in the electricity supply, which was restored
through the use of stand-by generators (ECLAC, 2008).
The private company Turks and Caicos Water operates a reverse osmosis desalination plant and, with the
Government, has joint ownership of the Provo Water Company which provides water distribution services
to Providenciales as well as sewerage (Kairi Consultants Limited, 2000a). Access to clean water in the Turks
and Caicos is either from rainwater harvesting using catchment roof systems, or by purchase from the
Government, which is considered expensive (Kairi Consultants Limited, 2000a). People have complained
about the high cost of water (Kairi Consultants Limited, 2000a) (see Table 4.1.1).
Table 4.1.1: Water tariff for domestic and non-domestic users in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Category Water Usage (Gallons per month) Rate ($US)
Domestic 1,000 $35 per 1,000 gallons
Commercial 300,000 Reduced rates on a sliding scale
(Kairi Consultants Limited, 2000a)
A summary of water resources across the Turks and Caicos Islands is shown in Table 4.1.2 (availability) and
Table 4.1.3 (distribution). In Providenciales, The Turks and Caicos Water Company processes drinkable
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