Water Pollution Control in Seychelles
Water is a country's major resource and Seychelles is not an exception. Water in Seychelles is available both as surface and underground sources. Most of our surface and underground waters are used for drinking purposes. Through a series of dams and treatment works the surface water is of fairly good quality and treatment is usually limited to sedimentation, filtration and chlorination. Under the Environment Protection Act, 1994
There are various methods used by the government to control water pollution in the Seychelles.
With the increase in industrialization over the past 20 years, the risk of pollution has increased greatly. It is known that all forms of activities taking place in the environment will have some sort of effect on it. Being a tourist destination the Seychelles depends a lot on the cleanliness of its environment especially when it comes to coastal areas. Water pollution control is an area whereby the government has and continues to put a lot of effort. There are 3 mechanisms by which water pollution control is done in Seychelles.
Public Education: for the past ten years the government has made use of the media (radio, television and news papers) to inform the public on the dangers of polluted water in a way to sensitise the public on keeping our waters clean. Cleaning programs have also been organized jointly with the public to further encourage them against such actions which could impact our water sources.
The main cause of water pollution is effluent discharge either from industrial or domestic outlets. It is a known fact that waste water from industries and residential homes eventually makes its way either directly or indirectly into a water course. Although it is not possible to prevent such activity, a set of laws and regulations have been put in place to control the quality of effluents being discharged into the environment.
The ministry of Environment operates under what is known as the 'Environment Protection Act." This document is a list of regulations that prohibits certain activities which could have direct adverse impacts on the environment, in this case our water resources.
Sections that deal specifically with water pollution control are:7.(1) The Minister may by regulations provide for The preservation of fishing areas, aquatic areas, drinking water sources and reservoirs, recreational and other areas where water may need special protection
and;
Carrying out works which appear to be necessary to prevent, control or abate
Water pollution from natural causes or from abandoned works or projects or activities 7. (5) No person shall, without an authorisation from an authority discharge any effluent or throw, deposit or place any polluting or hazardous substance or waste or any
Obstructing matter into any water course or in the territorial waters.
Implementation of the laws and regulations set up by the government is imperative to ensure that all waters are protected and necessary measures as stated by the Environment Protection Act, 1994 are taken against offenders.
Under the act any person found contravening any of the sections is liable to a fine or imprisonment as stipulated by law.
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