Greetings.

This is in addition to previous ideas submitted. Barbados faces an acute water shortage in the distant future. Being an island (a body surrounded by WATER), THIS should not be the case.

A good model should be Pakistan. That country share it's main source of water (a river) with India and although full control of it's water resources were negotiated, there exist a heated war in the Kasmir region between the two as a result of the same resource. You see, with the current growth of India's population there has been a greater need to 'dam'' the river's flow to create much needed electricity for it's growing population and there in lies the problem.

Damming the river in several places on the India side constricts the flow of and quantity of water on the Pakistan side. To alleviate this issue Pakistan has been forced to desalinate the country's surrounding sea water.  (I am told that one exist or is in the making here. I cannot confirm). 

The desalination idea would guarantee Barbados a good way to water (irrigate) it's crops, put out fires and other domestic uses other than drinking etc. A valuable byproduct is sea salt which is proven to be healthy and can be exported.

Another issue springs up (excuse the pun). With the many natural water springs that exist throughout this island of ours (Porey Springs, Well house, Three Houses, Fortescue, Bath etc) there exist huge artesian basins underground and the soil acts as a natural ion exchange resin (the island being coral based in most areas). Once tested for contaminants and impurities, (the water is passed through an aquifer). This leaves the final product that is fit for drinking and can be bottled for local consumption / export.  

by Paul Doyle