It took more than a week after Hurricane Tammy, on October 21st, so that water can be consumed everywhere again. It had even been predicted: the weather phenomenon was not yet in sight on the coasts of the archipelago, so the Joint Water and Sanitation Union of Guadeloupe (SMGEAG) recommended avoiding water consumption. Water during and after bad weather. At the same time, the regional health authority (ARS) recommended what to do in the event of illness “Coloring” water or “When in Doubt” : Boil the water for five minutes and allow it to cool before consuming it.
And it is this recommendation, drawn up by Overseas Affairs Minister Philippe Vigier during his visit to the region on Monday, October 23, that has further heightened tensions. “Heat water and put it in the fridge”he advised on the set of the local station Guadeloupe la 1Dduring an interview, immediately sparked ironic reactions from the island’s residents, but also the ire of local elected officials, particularly parliamentarians. “Condescending and incoherent advice”for the deputy Christian Baptiste (Socialist Party, PS), ” an insult “ for deputy Olivier Serva (Libertés, Independents, Overseas and Territories) and remarks “classifiable in the lexical area of shame (…) more than contemptuous of our population.”for MP Elie Califer (PS).
In Guadeloupe, the question of drinking water comes up again and again, even chronically, and bad weather usually has nothing to do with it. According to press releases from the local water management agency, we can count ten non-compliance alerts for water intended for human consumption from July to the end of October so many consumption bans or restrictions, sometimes lasting several weeks. Too much aluminum, lack of chlorination, cloudiness due to bad weather or worse, the presence of coliform bacteria (E. Coli).
A complaint has been filed
In the archipelago, many families no longer drink tap water, preferring to buy dozens of packs of water, which are already necessary to make up for the cuts. “Tap water is difficult to trust because its drinkability can change overnight”, explains Sabrina Cajoly, activist in defense of the right of access to water in the archipelago, who brought the voice of users to the United Nations (UN), which has already called on France to solve the water problem in Guadeloupe. A complaint was also filed in February, involving at least a hundred people, alleging the following: “Crime of exposing another to imminent danger of death.”.
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