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DesalData Weekly - August 15, 2015

Posted 15 August, 2015 by Mandy

Antigua and BarbudaIn the West Indies, the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda has depleted its reservoirs.  While water rationing has been in place for more than a year, the country’s 90,000 inhabitants are now entirely dependent on desalination plants, surface water, and ground water.[1] Water management is reported as the nation’s principal environmental concern.  Droughts occur in the tropical nation every five to ten years—and in 1983-1984, authorities had to import water from other countries to make up for the deficit.[2]



[1] “Antigua Builds New Desalination Plant as Reservoirs Run Dry,” Latin American Herald Tribune, <http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2394370&CategoryId=14092> accessed August 14, 2015.

[2] “Water Profile of Antigua and Barbuda,” ed. Marty Matlock, Encyclopedia of the Earth, August 24, 2008, <http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/156922/> accessed August 14, 2015.

 

Antigua’s Public Utilities Authority (APUA) reports that the nation uses 5.6 million imperial gallons of water each day (611,000 cubic metres).  Sixty percent of the water supply derives from desalination (three reverse osmosis plants), thirty percent from surface water, and ten percent from ground water.[5]  Antioch has rights (that date prior to 1914) to pump water from the river without a state permit, and legislation from 1968 allows the city to draw water from the river for 208 days each year.[6]  The San Joaquin is California’s second longest river.  It is over-tapped and runs dry for long stretches, but miraculously, still manages to support one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.[7]  If the council approves of the project, the city will apply for a low-interest loan and grant from California.[8]

 



[1] Apua, “Water Provision in Antigua,” <http://www.apua.ag/water-provision-in-antigua/>, accessed August 14, 2015.

[2] Theodore Koumelis, “Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Opens its Own Desalination Facility,” August 13, 2015, Travel Daily News, <http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/59393/hideaway-beach-resort-amp-spa> accessed August 14, 2015.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Credit: < http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/59393/hideaway-beach-resort-amp-spa>.

[5] Rowena Coetsee, “Antioch Eyes Desalination System to Increase Water Supply,” Contra Costa Times, August 12, 2015 <http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_28626933/antioch-eyes-desalination-system-increase-water-supply> accessed August 14, 2015.

[6] Paul Burgarino, “Antioch Explores Building Desalination Plant,” Contra Costa Times, June 8, 2014, <http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_25916478/antioch-explores-building-desalination-plant> accessed August 12, 2015.

[7] “America’s Most Endangered Rivers for 2014: San Joaquin river,” American Rivers.org, <http://www.americanrivers.org/endangered-rivers/2014-report/san-joaquin/> accessed August 12, 2015.

[8] Coetsee, “Antioch.”

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