Following the Consultation with the People of Martinique on Issues Related to Water Resource Management and Aquatic Environments From November 2, 2018, to May 2, 2019, the Water and Biodiversity Committee wished to share the results it had achieved.
In fact, many residents and local stakeholders have spoken out on the issues related to this management, making our department the first in terms of response volumes in this national consultation.
This public consultation was conducted as part of the revision of the SDAGE (Master Plans for Water Development and Management), which are updated every six years, and aims to incorporate changes in economic and environmental conditions, drawing on an understanding of environmental risks and the perspectives of the public and various stakeholders in the sector.
The Challenges of the 2016–2021 SDAGE
-Balancing human uses and the needs of aquatic environments
-Protect and restore remarkable aquatic environments
-Restoring the quality of water and aquatic environments
-Gain knowledge to better manage water and influence behavior
1,53% of the population of Martinique responded to the questionnaires!
Here are the key takeaways from the results of this consultation.
When asked, “How confident are you in the quality of tap water?” the majority of Martinicans responded “moderately confident” (48.14%) and “very confident” (28.48%);
In response to the question: “Are you satisfied with the daily reliability of the drinking water service?” the responses were mostly positive, with 52,55% people reporting satisfaction;
On the other hand, in crisis situations such as earthquakes or hurricanes, the people of Martinique have only moderate confidence in the stability of the service, with 40.20% of respondents.
“Furthermore, the issue of establishing a single agency to manage water resources remains a major priority for the people of Martinique, although respondents” understanding of how such an agency would operate remains somewhat vague.”
When asked about the impact of individual wastewater treatment systems on aquatic environments, the majority of people in Martinique are aware that it is significant. .
There's also good news regarding environmental awareness, since the majority of respondents say they know of alternatives to pesticides!
As for the quality of swimming waters, confidence levels are relatively moderate. The majority of respondents are familiar with the marine species in their area and believe that communication, awareness-raising, and conservation are priorities for protecting the aquatic environment—even though political commitment is insufficient and must be strengthened! They want more concrete and visible actions and would like to see policymakers take a stronger stand on environmental issues.
Finally, the high cost of water remains a sensitive and high-priority issue! “A majority of respondents complain about taxes that are too high. Some criticize the lack of transparency surrounding these taxes, which makes it harder to understand the bill. The topic of a single utility is primarily discussed through the lens of a single rate structure.”
