Laws governing water pollution set to be strengthened
Water pollution laws are to be strengthened and fines for polluters increased under new legislation tabled in the House of Assembly today.
Home Affairs minister Walter Roban presented the Water Resources Amendment Act 2024, which, he said, would “ensure that Bermuda maintains the highest quality of groundwater”.
“Clean water is fundamental to public health and the sustainability of our natural ecosystems,” said the minister.
“Ensuring the purity of this essential resource protects our community’s health and our island’s economy and preserves Bermuda’s natural beauty for future generations.
“Monitoring groundwater quality and the status of the freshwater lenses is crucial to managing the island’s water resources.”
Mr Roban said the legislation would be amended to:
• Allow public officers permission to enter any property or land, including any boat or vessel
• Increase penalties for offences up to a maximum of $20,000
• Allow public officers to take measures to see if public water, including seawater, is, or may become, polluted, and take soil samples for analysis, in addition to their existing authority to take water and effluent samples
• Allow the minister to issue a pollution stop order
• Increase the minister’s powers to make regulations that set concentration thresholds for the protection of human and environmental health
• Increase the minister’s powers to make regulations to include the need for landowners in certain cases to keep records relating to the storage of environmental liabilities on the site
• Extend authority to enforce regulations to police officers and the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard
• Require people to report as soon as practicable, the discharge of any fuel, oil, waste or hazardous chemicals into public water, seawater or ground
Every five years, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issues approximately 3,142 water rights to manage the use of groundwater from wells for various purposes.
These include treating groundwater to make potable water, cooling water for buildings, toilet flushing and irrigation.
The DENR also manages 871 disposal boreholes, for uses including, discharging treated wastewater, road stormwater runoff, and cooling water return from buildings.
Mr Roban added: “Recent boat sewage regulations created no-discharge zones close to shore and within various enclosed seas and harbours.
“Updates to the Act will enable public officers to enforce these regulations and assist in identifying habitual offenders who discharge sewage within no-discharge zones.
“Many environmentally conscious companies already report pollution spills, monitor and clean up soils and waters as part of their operating licences.
“This is currently achieved under the Clean Air Act 1991 and only applies to some typically larger companies that operate controlled plants.
“In order to comprehensively address these issues, it is proposed that they should be dealt with under the Water Resources Act. This will ensure that all polluting activities are controlled to protect human health and the environment.”
The minister said: “The Government's commitment to protecting Bermuda’s water quality is unwavering.
“These proposed amendments and new regulations are vital steps towards a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
“It is important to preserve our water resources as it protects our natural ecosystems, our community's health, our island’s economy and preserves Bermuda’s natural beauty for the future.”
• To see the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media
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