-
Three Houses Spring Act
The temporary owner of the plantation formerly owned by John Brathwaite deceased) to make a dam from the spring.
It further allows residents of surrounding areas to retain the water for personal use provided that they do not dry the river or channel, to a pond situate at the end of the said river’s course, commonly called Brown’s Pond Source -
Landslide at Crab Hole
On this day, two houses disappeared after a landslide in Crab Hole (below Hackleton's Cliff, St. Joseph). Damage worsened the next day, with the stock pen and buildings of a plantation being buried. The earth swelled reaching nearly 20 feet. It affected an estimated 100 acres. It was suggested that the many fresh water springs in the area came to the surface in adjacent lands.
Source -
Water Woes
According to Trinidadian engineer, Lewis Samuel, water for drinking was obtained from springs (eg. Beckle's Spring - located in Bay Street), ponds and wells and was sold at a regular rate of 2 cents for 4 gallons. Women washed clothes in turbid pond water due to lack of pure water. Source -
The Water Works Act 1857
This Act facilitated the formation of a joint company under the name “The Bridgetown Water Works Company” which was to supply the city with 500,000 gallons per day of pure and wholesome water. Works had to be commenced on or before 1.1.1859 and completed on and or before 1.1.1862. First supply was from Newcastle Spring, St. John. First office: No. 20 High Street, Bridgetown. Source -
Drought
The total rainfall reported from 21 stations was 45 inches, well below the average for the Island. The early part of 1858 was extremely dry and the ponds on the estates had dried up. Reports revealed that in St. Lucy, the stock were suffering from lack of with several wells giving out.
Source -
Fire in Spry Street
The building which was used by the Ladies Association for the relief of the Indigent, Sick and Infirm was gutted by fire about 7:13 p.m. The lack of piped water made it impossible to save the building in time.
Source -
Newcastle Spring
The Newcastle Scree Spring, St. John was harnessed and the water was carried to Bridgetown through long pipes.
Source -
Codrington College Springs
The Codrington College Springs were led into the same pipe as the water from the Newcastle Spring, thus supplying additional water to the City of Bridgetown.
Source -
Porey's Spring Act 1864
The Vestry of St. Thomas can make, construct, maintain, and enlarge, works necessary for collecting and delivering the water of Porey’s Spring. For maintenance, the Vestry, can charge for water to be delivered from the spring to persons outside of Saint Thomas; provided that such charge does not exceed the rate of one penny for 120 gallons. Source -
Period: to
Drought
During these drought years, 189 ponds out of 257 in 6 parishes dried up and the situation of the rural population became desperate. Source -
-
Period: to
Drought
Due to drought, the combined yield of New Castle and College springs had diminished from 1,073,882 Barbados gallons in August 1884 to 575,640 Barbados gallons on 10th April 1886
Source -
Negotiation of Water Rights
Mr. Robert Walker, proprietor of Bowmanston Estate and Mr. Edward Easton, an English hydraulic engineer negotiated the water rights at Bowmanston, as well as 4 acres of land, to the Barbados Government for £20,000.
Source -
The Barbados Water Supply Act
Facilitated the formation of The Barbados Water Supply Company under Mr. Edward Easton. Its sources of water supply were Cole's Cave, Harrison's Cave, Bakers Cave, Edghill and Plumtree Gully.
Source -
Period: to
Bowmanston Pumping Station
A pumping station was erected on the Bowmanston Estate under the direction of Mr. George Lingwood, then Engineer of the Barbados Water Works Company. Pumping started in 1890 with pumps capable of raising to the surface one million gallons of water per day.
Source -
The Bridgetown Water Works Company
This company acquired the property and water rights on the Endeavour part of Bowmanston Estate, which contained the well to Bowmanston Cave.
Source -
Bowmanston
The Barbados Water Works Company purchased two acres at Everton adjoining the land on which the Bridgetown Water Works Company had erected the pumping station, and sunk on it a well which reached to the Bowmanston Cave
Source -
Drought
This drought was accompanied by epidemics of typhoid and dysentery were probably caused by malnutrition as well as by impure water. The colonial secretary thought the cause was the impure condition of the surface water which formed the drinking water of many of the peasants.
[Source}(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsM4xKg4gjHrrzJqYVXD2-lMy8MXBCA-_GY7a6IBUXI/edit) -
Waterworks Department Act
This Act provided that the Waterworks Department was to establish and maintain all such works necessary for the supply of water to Bridgetown and rural areas. It further gave the Department authority over all lands, streams, springs or waters.
Source -
The Waterworks Act 1895
Due to rivalry, the Barbados Government bought both companies for £375,000 and established its own “Waterworks Department”. The sources of water inherited were as follows: from the Bridgetown Water Works Company: Newcastle spring, Codrington College spring and Bowmanston Pumping Station; from the Barbados Water Supply Company: Harrison Cave, Baker’s Cave, Coles Cave and Plumtree Gully. -
Reservoir at Hanson
This reservoir was opened at 4 p.m. and was called the 'Victoria Reservoir' to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne).
Source -
Bowmanston Pumping Engines
Two more pumping engines were installed at Bowmanston, which pumped water to the higher levels
Source -
Hurricane
The 1898 Hurricane did much damage to the pipe lines in the country. Source -
Golden Ridge Reservoir
A pumping station was opened at Golden Ridge with two engines, each capable of lifting ¼ million gallons per day of Bowmanston water from Golden Ridge Reservoir to Castle Grant Reservoir, the top level of which is at 1,100 feet above sea-level. From this reservoir, the highest levels of the island are supplied.
Source -
Castle Grant Reservoir
Castle Grant Reservoir was erected. Its massive tank receives water from Golden Ridge and distributes it to various parts of St. Joseph, St. John, St. Andrew and St. Thomas. The plateau on which the reservoir is built is approximately 11,000 feet above sea level. Source -
Period: to
Abandonment of Water Source: Plumtree Gully
Due to pollution, the water at Plumtree gully this source was abandoned. It runs from near Mount Hillaby, St. Andrew, through St. Thomas and St. James. While the gully is dry except in wet weather, rushing water can be heard underneath from the supply 100 feet underground which was used until about 1916 (Pack)
Source -
First Well at the Belle
Mr. Menzies of the British Union Oil Company (B.U.O.C) sank the first well the Belle on his own volition because of his belief that the sheet water found there could provide substantial quantities of potable water.
Source -
High Death Rate
This year witnessed a record-breaking death rate of 43.4 per 100 and was so encouraged by low water supplies and low food supplies, both the result of the drought. The infantile death rate was also high, 401 per 1,000. Typhoid and dysentery were especially important in contributing to the high death rates.
Source -
The Underground Water Act 1922
This Act stated that all borings for oil, which pierce the base of the Coral-rock should be efficiently cemented, to prevent a possible pollution of the water supply; but unfortunately the abandoned water-wells, which even today are used as rubbish collectors were not included. -
Period: to
Belle Pumps
The first two pumps were installed at the Belle.
Source -
-
Waterworks & Public Works
The Water Works and Public Works Departments amalgamated.
Source -
Everton Pumping Station
The pumping station was officially opened. It was erected 820 feet upstream from Bowmanston and drew water from the same stream.
Source -
Waterworks (Application of Surplus Funds) Act.
This Act dedicated £51,234 4s on improving the water supply scheme which included the extension of mains and provision of additional standpipes, change of situation of standpipes, provision for re-laying mains and provision for extension of mains.
Source -
Waterworks & Public Works
The Waterworks and Public Works Departments broke relations.
Source -
Drought Affects Supply to Bridgetown
Due to a six-month drought, there were low levels at New Castle and Codrington Springs as well as the Bowmanston stream which afffected the supply to Bridgetown. Consequently, the fountain in Trafalgar Square (now Independence Square) was only played on Fridays and on arrival days of tourist ships.
Source -
Steel Bridge Launched at the Belle
The steel bridge at the Belle was officially launched. It connects the Belle Pumping Station to Grandview and Brittons Reservoirs, commanding Bridgetown and its eastern suburbs. The bridge of 110 feet and 18 tons was constructed and pre-erected in Glasglow before being shipped to Barbados to carry a 20-inch arterial main across the Belle Gully.
Source -
Sweet Vale Pumping Station
A new pumping station was erected at Sweet Vale to supply an additional million gallons of water a day to the residents in the area.
Source -
Relocation of the Barbados Waterworks Department
The office of the Waterworks Department was located on Coleridge Street, Bridgetown until the early 1970s. By May 1972, all of the staff and departments had been relocated to the Pine, St. Michael. -
Barbados Water Authority Act
The Act was passed to facilitate the establishment of the Barbados Water Authority.
Source -
Barbados Water Authority
The BWA was established to replace the Waterworks Department of Government. It is charged with supplying potable water as well as the provision of wastewater treatment and disposal services to the sewered areas of Bridgetown and South Coast. The Authority is also responsible for the monitoring, assessment, control and protection of the water resources in the public interest.
Source -
Drought
Severe dry weather in the months prior to and including April 1988, contributed to the tremendous strain to provide 24-hr service insomuch that the New Castle Springs fell to 37% of the yield at average rainfall levels.
Source
