Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 22, 2017 (SKNIS): The Water Services Department has embarked on a week of activities in commemoration of World Water Day 2017 with the aim of promoting the theme “Wastewater” and the campaign “Why Waste Water?’
According to the Honourable Ian Patches Liburd, Minister of Public Infrastructure, who gave an address to mark the commemoration of World Water Day on March 22, the theme and campaign “turn the spotlight on reducing and reusing wastewater to help to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Number 6. Target 6.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals in part requires us by 2030 to improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising the release of hazardous chemicals and materials along with reducing the proportion of untreated wastewater by 50%.”
He added that it is against this backdrop that “the staff of the department will be engaging the communities by visiting both primary and secondary schools, and appearing on local radio and television programmes to discuss the importance of water in our daily lives during the week of March 22nd,” further indicating that the staff “will discuss the opportunity to reduce our water use and set the parameters for the re-use of wastewater.”
Minister Liburd urged all to tune in to a Round Table discussion on ZIZ TV on Thursday March 23rd, the topic for discussion is ‘Why Waste Water in Homes and Businesses?’.
An island wide ‘Water Cade’ geared at highlighting and promoting the sustainable use of the island’s water resources, including the option for re-use is scheduled for Saturday March 25. According to Minister Liburd, staff from the Water Services Department will be accompanied by staff from other ministries or stakeholders and private entities on this WaterCade, which will utilize thirty minute stop-overs in several communities and allow for interaction with residents.
The first World Water Day was commemorated on March 22nd, 1993, as a result of a declaration by the United Nations General Assembly.
