Bases officials meet farmers to discuss water dispute

By Jean Christou

BRITISH bases officials yesterday met farmers’ representatives from the Ormidhia district to discuss the issue of illegal boreholes on SBA territory.

A statement from the bases said that a number of proposals had been put on the table and that the farmers had said they would think about them.

The bases offered to allow some water to be supplied to tenant farmers who have potato crops, which will be jeopardised if all the illegal boreholes are shut.

Some of this water would be supplied from bases outlets, the statement said.

“We have made a fair offer to enable the farmers to harvest their crop which is already planted,” said Ian Williamson, the Defence Land Agent who represents the bases. “In return we would like to see them accept that non- licensed boreholes have to be shut down when their present crop has been lifted. This is vital in order to preserve the aquifer.”

It was also agreed at the meeting to ascertain the precise water usage of the farmers and to identify to whom and where water from other illegal boreholes was being sent.

Last Monday, the bases moved early in the morning to cap five illegal boreholes dug by farmers who rent bases land for crop cultivation. The bases said it was the first phase of an action to prevent the illegal abstraction of water from the Ormidhia aquifer.

Around 100 potato farmers in the Ormidhia area were affected, but the bases said they would be capping another 23 illegal boreholes in the near future.

The bases say the farmers are in effect stealing water by using the illegal boreholes.

They say that if the water in the aquifer drops below sea level the supply of drinking water for bases residents will be contaminated with seawater.

Commenting on yesterday’s meeting, bases spokesman Rob Need said it had been “affable” but that they did not expect an instant response from the farmers. “However, we are grateful that they have agreed to co-operate in helping us identify their precise water usage.”

“But our bottom lines is that the boreholes will cease to extract water.”

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