Geneva, United Nations experts have voiced serious concerns over the chronic water supply issues in Guadeloupe, a French overseas department, citing neglect and mismanagement leading to pollution, high prices, and threats to human rights.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the experts reported that over 60% of Guadeloupe’s water is lost to leaks due to a deteriorating infrastructure, leading to frequent service interruptions and potential contamination risks. The system’s instability, exacerbated by the network’s poor condition, poses significant risks to the population’s health and sanitation rights.

The UN panel underscored the adverse impact of these water cuts, especially on the underprivileged, pointing out Guadeloupe’s status as the region with France’s highest water rates. The experts also raised alarms over the ecological strain on water tables, risking salinisation and the ongoing toxic repercussions of chlordecone pesticide contamination.

Highlighting the aftermath of recent natural disasters like Tropical Storm Philippe and Hurricane Tammy, the UN stressed the necessity for Guadeloupe to enhance its water system’s resilience to climate change. They emphasized the critical human rights implications, including the right to a clean environment, due to continued chlordecone exposure, linked to significant health crises like the high incidence of prostate cancer.

The UN experts called for the French Government to take decisive action, including remedial measures for those affected and advocating for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes in addressing the water crisis. Concerns were also raised about the suppression of public discourse on water issues in Guadeloupe, indicating a need for open discussions and participatory governance in resolving the crisis.