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CAWASA eSource Newsletter - July to September 2012

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    InthIs Issue

    July to September 2012 | Vol. 4 No. 3Caribbean Water and Sewage Association Inc.

    Secretariat News Page 2 and 3Managing Caribbean Waste Water Pages 3 and 4

    Desalination: Is it worth the cost? Page 5

    World Without Water? Pages 6 and 7

    HealthBenetsofWater Page 8

    ClimateChangeChallengesforCaribbean Water Page 9Rain Water Harvesting Barbados-style Back Page

    The Caribbean RegionalFund for Wastewater Manage-ment (CReW) is a four-yearproject funded by the GlobalEnvironment Facility (GEF),with the Inter-American De-velopment Bank (IDB) and theUnited Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) as the co-

    implementing agencies.Earlier this year, UNEP CAR/

    RCU, as the regional execut-ing agency, signed a small-scalefunding agreement SSFA withCAWASA to coordinate fourtasks on Wastewater Manage-ment in the English speaking Ca-ribbean countries of Antigua andBarbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia,St. Vincent & the Grenadines,Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname.

    ReportforBaselineAssessment

    One of the tasks involved isthe conduct of a regional base-line assessment on wastewatermanagement.

    The CAWASA Secretariat en-gaged the World Water and Waste-water Solutions (WWWS) to iden-tify an appropriate baseline to assistin the design and implementation offuture capacity building activities.

    The consultant was expected toprovide the following:An overview of wastewater

    treatment in the participatingcountries including policies,legislation and regulations andrecommendations for regionalharmonization and improvedenforcement;

    Anoverview ofexisting lab ca-pacity to support wastewater ef-uentmonitoringanditsimpactson the marine environment;

    Anupdateofthenationalcoun-try proles developed in theProject Preparation Phase;

    Recommendations on prioritytraining needs for wastewaterprofessionalsinthebeneciarycountries;

    Recommendations for improv-ing the current knowledge, at-

    titudes, behaviors and practiceson wastewater management inthe region;

    Guidanceto participating utili-ties in a self-assessment of theirstrengths and weaknesses;

    Recommendations on key in-stitutional entry points in eachcountry for future capacity

    building and training includingmedia and educational institu-tions for sustainability.

    The main activities of the base-line assessment were executedduring August and September(2012) and the consultant submit-ted a Draft Baseline AssessmentReportforreviewandvericationin October.

    Another component of this taskis a review of the status of theLand Based Sources of pollution(LBS) Protocol in the participatingcountries.

    This exercise is being undertakenby Consultant Patricia Prudent-Phillips and a report was expectedbytherstweekofNovember2012 .

    OperationalAssessment Workshop

    Plans are well advancedfor WWWS to conduct a two-day Operational AssessmentWorkshop in Saint Lucia onfrom the 3rd to 4th December2012.

    The workshop will coin-

    cide with the hosting of theAnnual General Meeting ofCAWASA on 5th December2012.

    Following the workshop,the consultants will visit at

    least three selected utilities

    participating in the CReW

    project, to conduct a fol-

    low-up operational assess-

    ment on utility wastewater

    management.

    At the end of this, the con-sultants are expected to submitan Operational AssessmentReport to the managementof each utility, as well as toCAWASA.

    CAWASA and UNEP Host Operational Assessment Workshop

    CAWASA and UNEP Assessing

    Caribbean Waste Water Management

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    e-SourcePage 2 July to September 2012 | Vol. 4 No. 3

    The Caribbean Water and Sewerage Associa-tion Inc. (CAWASA Inc.), in collaboration withthe Caribbean Environmental Health Institute(CEHI) is organizing a two-day Workshop onWastewater Operations and Maintenance to beheld in Dominica from 26-27th November 2012.Twenty-ve (25) participants from water andwastewater utilities that are members of CAWA-SA, as well as CEHI Member-States, are expectedto attend the workshop.

    The workshop will focus on the safe and effec-tive operations and maintenance of wastewatertreatment plants and will provide participantswith hands-on practice in the operations andmaintenance of wastewater treatment plants.

    This workshop has come against the backdropof an initiative by the Global Environment Fa-cility Caribbean Regional Fund for WastewaterManagement (GEF CReW) to reform WastewaterManagement in the Caribbean.

    It will address the current challenges facingwastewater management in the Caribbean, espe-cially the knowledge and skills needed to managewastewater treatment systems and facilities.

    The workshop is also intended to complementother operational activities planned for imple-mentation by CAWASA and CEHI as part of theirgeneral program, as well as CReW project-relatedactivities.

    At the end of the workshop, participants will

    be able to:

    Understandbasichydraulicsrelated toopen-owchannelasitrelatestosewersnotowingfull;

    Readandinterpretthebasicdesignofwaste-water treatment plants;

    Understandthesourcesofwastewatergenera-tion, types and quality wastewater;

    Differentiatebetweendifferenttypesofwaste-water treatment plant;

    Undertaketheoperationsandmaintenanceof

    wastewater treatment plants;

    CAWASA Secretariat News

    Assumeresponsibilitiesofwastewateropera-tors to implement health and safety measures,laboratoryanalysisandefuentquality;

    AppreciatetheDosandDontsduringoperationsand maintenance of treatment plant and sewerage.It is expected that the region will have a cadre

    of utility operations and maintenance personnelwho have acquired relevant knowledge and skillsas well as practical experience in the operationsand maintenance of wastewater treatment plants.

    (More on Waste Water on Pages 3 and 4).

    The Dominica meeting will seek to upgrade the performance of wastewateroperations managers across the Caribbean.

    Recent studies on the Caribbean water and sanita-tion sector acknowledge the fact that there is a growingproblem of water quality management in the region.

    In most cases, the reports recommend skillstraining andprofessionalcertication forwaterand wastewater Operators and Analysts as oneof the approaches necessary to tackle the qualitymanagement problem.

    TheABC/CAWASAIncOperatorCerticationprogramme administered by the CAWASA Sec-retariat has been gradually gaining acceptanceamong the management of Caribbean Water andWastewater utilities as the basis for classifyingtheir systems and facilities as well as for certify-

    ing their operators and analysts.

    CAWASA seeks CARICOM Accreditation

    for Operator Certication Programme

    The CAWASA Secretariat is exploring oppor-tunities to expand the reach of the programmeamong the operators of private water and waste-water systems or facilities in the sector such asbreweries, distilleries, hotels, bottled water com-panies and manufacturers.

    In this regard, the CAWASA Inc Secretariatwrote totheAccreditationOfcerat theCARI-COM Secretariat requesting formal recognitionof the programme by Governments of the Carib-bean Community (CARICOM).

    The CAWASA Inc Secretariat submitted de-tails of the programme for consideration of theprogramme contents and is awaiting a response

    to the request for formal accreditation.

    CAWASAisseekingaccreditationfromtheCARICOMSecretariatinGeorgetown,Guyana.

    CAWASAs representatives attendedthe8th High Level Session of Caribbean WaterMinisters held on 4th and 5th October 2012.

    The Ministerial Forum focused on thetheme The Water and Energy Nexus inCaribbean Development, was attended byministers responsible for water from Baha-mas, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago,Nevis and St. Kitts.

    Guyana and Saint Lucia were representedby their Permanent Secretaries.

    The session comprised seven sessions, eachcovering a topic of interest to the ministers.

    In Session 1, the presenters examined re-gional experiences and lessons relating toenergy and water. Session 2 looked at sus-tainable energy options for the water sector

    while Session 3 discussed the implications ofclimate change for water.

    In Session 4, regional institutions gave anupdate on their water resource managementactivities while in Session 5 a representativeof the African Ministers Council on Water(AMCOW) gave an overview of water re-source management at the ministerial levelin Africa.

    Session 6 took the form of a Panel Discus-sion where the ministers gave their perspec-tives on national and regional issues and so-lutions for a water secure Caribbean.

    During Session 7, the ministers reached con-sensus on the main conclusions of the Forumand approved resolutions for future action.

    8th High Level

    Session of Caribbean

    Water Ministers

    attended by

    CAWASA

    CEHI and CAWASA Collaborate on Waste Water Operations and Maintenance

    Dominica to host Waste Water Workshop in June

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    e-Source Page 3July to September 2012 | Vol. 4 No. 3

    CAWASA Secretariat News

    Mr. Bernard Ettinoffe, President and Mr.Victor Poyotte, Executive Director, repre-sented CAWASA at the recently-concluded21st Annual Conference and Exhibition ofthe Caribbean Water and Wastewater As-sociation (CWWA) held from 1-5th October2012 at the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas.

    Participation of CAWASA was madepossiblewith nancial assistance from theUnited Nations Environmental Programme,Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit

    (UNEP-CAR/RCU). Attheofcialopeningceremony,Mr.Et-tinoffe delivered brief remarks on behalf ofCAWASA. He also gave the audience a sum-mary of the main regional initiatives current-ly undertaken by CAWASA.

    CAWASA ofcials

    attend 21st Annual

    CWWA Conference

    in The Bahamas

    At the joint Global Water Operators Alli-ance (GWOPA) and Caribbean Water Opera-tors (CariWOPS) workshop the CAWASAPresident, bernard Etinoffe, delivered briefopening remarks while the Executive Direc-tor, Victor Poyotte, made a presentation onthe achievements of CariWOP during thepast year.

    Mr. Jose Luis Martin Bordes, ProgrammeOfcerofGWOPAmadeapresentationonLessons Learnt and the Future of the WOP-LAC regional platform.AnofcialoftheUSAIDmadeapresenta-

    tion on the USAID Programme Water andKnowledge.

    Mr. Jose Luis Martin Bordes, ProgrammeOfcerofGWOPAheldameetingwiththeExecutive Director of CAWASA to discussweaknesses in the current administration ofthe Caribbean Water Operators (CariWOPS).

    They also examined a range of optionsaimed at strengthening the regional platform.

    CAWASA attends

    GWOPA Workshop

    A special workshop was recently held,aimed at introducing theOperatorCerti-cation Programme to Caribbean Water and

    Wastewater Operators and Analysts. The topics covered include: certicationpolicies, institutional arrangements, inspec-tionandclassicationofsystemsandfacili -ties, operator training, examination admin-istration, certicate renewalandbenetsofcertication.

    The Executive Director of CAWASA madea formal presentation and answered ques-tions from participants relating to the Opera-torCerticationexaminations.

    He also distributed brochures and oth-er materials providing information on thecourses available, fees and sources fromwhich the students can obtain text books re-quired for the programme.

    Executive Director

    Attended Water

    Operator Certication

    Workshop

    In August 2012, the CAWASA Secretariat signed anagreementwiththermofPEMConsult/Dunn,Pierre,

    Barnett & Company Limited, to provide support forcarrying out a Labour Market Needs Assessment sur-vey in Saint Lucia.

    The survey commenced 28th August and ended 20thOctober and forms part of the OECS Skills for InclusiveGrowth Project.

    In keeping with the agreement, the CAWASA Secre-tariat assumed responsibility for the overall coordina-tion, direction, quality assurance and reporting of the

    CAWASA Supports Saint Lucia Labour Market Assessment

    local survey team.

    Activities undertaken by the Secretariat included the

    training of enumerators, supervision of the data collec-tion process, as well as organization of a series of focusgroup sessions at four locations on the island.

    The sessions were held in Gros islet, Dennery, Vieux

    Fort and Soufriere and the consultants lectured on is-

    sues that included: Tourism and Hospitality, Construc-

    tion, ICT, Agriculture/Agri-Business, Manufacturing,

    Youth, Job Seekers, Education and TVET (Technical

    and Vocational Education Training).

    A two-day stakeholder workshop focusing on TheImpact of Water and Climate on Development Withinthe Caribbean took place in St. Lucia on November 15and 16, bringing together key players within the Carib-bean in the area of Climate Change.

    Theparticipantsprovidedinputintothenalizationof the Water, Climate and Development Programme(WACDEP) Implementation Plan that was adopted byCARICOM Heads of Government in March 2012.

    The WACDEP is geared towards a Regional Frame-work for Achieving Development Resilience to Cli-mate Change.

    The information gathered during the workshop isbeing shared among the various stakeholder groupsthroughout the region as they too engage in formulat-ing their own policies.

    The WACDEP initiative will be monitored and eval-uated over the course of the next three years, by whichtime the stakeholders will make the necessary adjust-ments to enhance the region's water supply.

    The 27 participants came from 10 territories withinthe Caribbean region and represented various disci-plines, including planning, water resource agencies,Climate Change, agencies and forestry.

    It is the believed that the real and positive changesregarding the region's water supply will only be real-ized when there is a more conscious effort on the part ofthe populace to gain an appreciation for what's at stake.

    SaintLuciasPermanentSecretaryintheMinistryofPublic Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Sci-ence and Technology, Sylvester Clauzel, was one of thefeatured speakers.

    Clauzel referenced the situation that was playingout at the island's main water supply, WASCO, whereemployeesstaged a sit-out overoutstandingwageissues. The issues surrounding water are broad, heindicated.

    "Although there are only about 10% of the workerson strike, because of the strategic areas that those 10%of workers are involved in, it obviously does have animpact on the provision of water, particularly in thenorthern part of the island where we have the hotel

    plants, our main economic drivers," Clauzel said.

    In May 2012, the Caribbean Development Bank(CDB) launched an initiative to undertake an ini-tial assessment of the state of the Water Sector inCDBsBorrowingMemberCountries(BMCs.The

    countries being assessed are: Jamaica, Trinidad &Tobago, Belize, Guyana, The Bahamas, St. Vincentand the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla,Montserrat, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dom-inica, St. Lucia, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Is-lands, Grenada, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

    The CDB selected Cole Engineering as the mainconsultant for the study, one of the main purposesof which is for the CDB to gain an understanding ofthe policies, systems and practices in water resourcemanagement and to develop improved strategies.

    The main objective of the CDB Study is to identifythe principal development challenges and needs fac-ing individual countries and the Caribbean region,inthecontextofnancingopportunitiesforCDB.

    The study will: (a) evaluate the role of regional

    institutions and active funding agencies in watersector in the Caribbean; (b) prepare water sectorprolesandconductinitialassessmentsonthestateof water sector in individual BMCs; and (c) conduct

    apreliminaryassessmentofCDBspoliciesandin -volvement in water sector in its BMCs.

    Specicattentionwillbepaidtotheexistenceandefcacyofpoliciesandsystemstoreducetherisksto the sector associated with climate change.

    Regional collaborationwouldbebenecialtothe

    improvement of the sector; and (b) potential areas

    of focus for CDB interventions in water sector in itsBMCs.

    The study will involve assessments of role of re-gional organisations, assessments of role of fundingagencies,thepreparationofwatersectorprolesintheCDBBMCsandtheevaluationofpotentialroleof the bank.

    It will also involve a review of relevant CDBpolicy and strategy documents related to water sec-tor with emphasis on water supply, environmentalmanagement and agriculture.

    The consultants are expected to make recommen-dations on the areas of strategic focus for potentialCDB interventions in water sector in the region.

    The CAWASA Secretariat is providing adminis-

    trative support to the consultants.

    CAWASA Supports CDB Regional Water Sector Review

    "The point being made here is that when we speakabout Climate Change's impact on water, it's not just

    about purely environmental issues. We're also dealingwith industrial relations and managing workers andmanaging people."

    Clauzel added that the devastating effects of Hur-ricane Tomas on the island's infrastructure resulted inadditional stress toWASCO'snancialviability andthe utility's ability to adequately supply its consumerswith potable water on a regular basis.

    Other speakers included Ermath Harrington, con-sultant/facilitator of the WACDEP programme forthe Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C);Avril Alexander, Regional Coordinator, Global WaterPartnership-Caribbean (GWP-C); Trevor Thompson,Chair, Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C);and Carlos Fuller, Deputy Director, Caribbean Com-munity Climate Change Centre (CCCCC). CAWASAwasrepresentedbyProgramOfcerSuzanneJoseph.

    The Voice.

    Stakeholders discuss Caribbean Water Security in St. Lucia

    Permanent Secretary in St. Lucias Water Ministry,Sylvester Clauzel, said Climate Change is not only

    about environmental issues but also about handlingand managing workers.

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    e-SourcePage 4 July to September 2012 | Vol. 4 No. 3

    Waste Water Management

    The Caribbean Regional Fund for WastewaterManagement (CReW) -- a four-year project whichbeganin2011andisnancedbyaspecialarrange-ment that involves the Global Environmental Fa-cility (GEF), Inter-American Development Bank(IDB), United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and the Governments of some Caribbeancountries--hosteditsrstRegionalWorkshopinBelize City, (Belize) on September 18th and 19th(2012) to introduce the concept of Revolving Funds.

    Revolvingfundsareamongthemoreexible,innovative and effective nancial managementmechanismsthatcanprovidesustainablenanc-

    ing for the development of much-needed waste-water treatment facilities, which are costly prop-ositions for regional governments struggling tomaintain those that already exist.

    A 2009 UNEP report entitled Assessmentof Wastewater Management in the Caribbeanfound untreated domestic wastewater had severeconsequences for coastal ecosystems in the WiderCaribbean region.

    This has resultedin: increased shmortalityand native effects on commercial sheries; de-clines in coral reefs estimated to cost the regionup to US $870 million by 2050; threats to humanhealth and threats to the tourism sector.

    Belize is one of four participating countries inwhich GEF-CReWis pilotingnancingmecha-nisms that can be used to provide sustainablenancing for environmentally sound and cost-effective wastewater management.

    US $5million of GEF-CReW funds are beingprovided directly to the Government of Belize asa capitalization grant for Belize Wastewater Re-volving Fund (BWRF) to establish a regional sew-age collection, treatment and disposal system forthe Placencia Peninsula.

    ThisistherstgenerationprojectoftheBWRF,which will provide zero or below market interestloans for eligible wastewater treatment projects.

    The Ministry of Finance is the pilot executingagency for the BWRF. Eligible projects include lo-cal wastewater projects that advance the obliga-tionsoftheCartagenaConventionsLand-basedSources of Pollution (LBS) Protocol, the only le-

    gally binding regional agreement for the protec-tion and development of the Caribbean Sea.

    The LBS Protocol entered into force in 2010,committing signatories to making major im-provements in wastewater management.

    Caribbean experts assess nancing

    mechanisms for Wastewater ManagementUntreated domestic wastewater has severe consequences for coastal

    ecosystems in the Wider Caribbean region. It has resulted in increased shmortality and native effects on commercial sheries; declines in coral reefs

    estimated to cost the region up to US $870 million by 2050; threats tohuman health and threats to the tourism sector.

    The Workshop sought to provide participants-- who came from the Caribbean DevelopmentBank(CDB)andutility,nanceandenvironmen-talsectorsinCReWsthirteenparticipatingcoun-tries (Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Costa

    Rica, Jamaica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras,Panama, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Gren-adines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago) -- witha broad view of the operation of revolving fundswith particular reference to the experience in de-veloping countries.

    It is also expected to assist the pilot countriesin the operation and design of their own nationalfunding mechanisms to be developed under theGEF-CReW Project, and, promote a network ofexpertise that could facilitate the replication and/or development of similar funding mechanismsin other non-pilot Caribbean countries.

    Martin Baker, an environmental lawyer withextensive experience in theplanning,nancingand operation of water, wastewater and other in-frastructure projects in Latin America, Asia, East-

    ern Europe and the Gulf States, led the Workshop.Peter Shanaghan, Team Leader of the National

    Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)Program for the Ofce of Ground Water andDrinking Water, United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency (USEPA) shared their experi-ence in operation of revolving funds.

    Paul Marchetti, an Economist and ExecutiveDirector of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure In-vestment Authority (PENNVEST) since 1988,shared practical experience in maintaining, re-plenishing and growing revolving funds.

    The GEF-CReW Project aims to provide sus-tainablenancingforthewastewatersector,sup-port policy and legislative reforms and foster re-gional dialogue and knowledge exchange among

    key stakeholders in the Wider Caribbean Region.

    DANGEROUS PRACTICE: Raw waste disposed directly into the sea attracts both sh and shers,but is a dangerous and costly practice.

    HEALTHY PRACTICE: For many years hotel waste from the North of the island has been treated at

    this WASCO wastewater treatment facility at Beausejour.

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    e-Source Page 5July to September 2012 | Vol. 4 No. 3

    DesalinationTurning Sea Water into Drinking WaterWithout any other sources for freshwater, desalination

    is quickly becoming vital to many regions.

    St. Martins desalination plant is run by

    Frances Veolia Water Caribbean

    Desalination of seawater, brack-ish groundwater or river water fora public potable water supply isincreasingly being considered.

    This method of securing wa-ter supply can be found in areaswhere water demand has been in-creasing beyond sustainable sup-ply and where water sources arefragile and climate change is mak-ing previously reliable sources un-reliable.

    Rapidly increasing populationsare also placing pressure on exist-ing water sources, forcing govern-ments to turn to desalination toprovide additional water supplieswhen existing sources are fully ex-tended.

    There is also potential for desal-ination to process already treatedwastewater, normally returnedto the environment, to a higherquality level for use in industry ormining processing, thus taking in-dustrial demand away from pub-lic water supplies.

    Desalination for major publicsupply is not only used in Barba-dos and other areas in the Carib-bean, but it is already employedfairly extensively in areas the Mid-dle East and North Africa, Austra-

    lia, Southern Europe, China, Sin-

    gapore and the USA.

    Desalination is an expensiveundertaking, but is becomingmore economically viable as the

    technology improves. Desalina-tion plants can be provided in awide range of outputs to cater forsmall isolated communities or tocontribute substantially to watersupplies for large cities and evenfor irrigation (Spain, United ArabEmirates).

    One of the processes for desali-nation is reverse osmosis (RO). Itis a membrane separation processin which the water from a pressur-ized saline solution is separatedfrom the dissolved material byowingthroughamembrane.No

    heating is necessary for this sepa-ration.

    The major energy required fordesalination is for pressurizingthe feed water, typically up to62 atmospheres for seawater. Inprinciple, the saline feed wateris pumped into a closed vesselwhere it is pressurized to over-come the osmotic pressure of thesolution before diffusing throughthe membrane. As a portion of thewater passes through the mem-brane, the remaining feed water

    increases in salt content. This por-

    tion of this feed water is then dis-charged without passing throughthe membrane.

    A Brackwish Water Reverse Os-

    mosis (BWRO) desalination plantat Spring Garden in Barbados isused by the Barbados Water Au-thority (BWA) to reduce the over-all energy requirements and pro-vide high-quality potable water toa section of the island.

    Desalination Around The World

    Drier and warmer climates,the unyielding movement of theworldsruralpeopletocitiesandthe need to fortify supplies havedramatically increased the needfor alternatives to fresh water. This

    has led Metropolitan and nationalgovernmentsonvecontinentstothe building of record numbersof desalination plants to producedrinking water from the sea.

    Overthelastveyears,anaver-age of 800 new desalination plantshave been constructed annually,according to various industrial re-ports, and the global market couldreach $58 billion a year.

    In 2006 and 2007 alone, accord-ing to Global Water Intelligence,an industry research group that

    tracks water trends, the worlds

    desalination capacity grew 43%and since 1990 has experiencedan average annual growth rate of17%.

    About 14,380 desalinationplants operate across the world,said Global Water Intelligence,with a total contracted capacity of62 million cubic meters, or 16.3 bil-lion gallons, per day.

    The Middle East has long beenthe dominant market, with Saudi

    Arabia producing more than 10million cubic meters a day and the

    United Arab Emirates producing

    almost 8.5 million cubic meters aday, according to Global Water

    Intelligence.

    The United States is now theworlds third leading builder ofdesalination plants. Other topmarkets are Spain, Kuwait, Alge-ria, China, Qatar, Japan and Aus-tralia.

    Almost two-thirds of all desali-nation plants use seawater, with19 percent drawing from brackishsources.

    Caribbean islands such as Trini-dad, Cayman Islands, the Baha-mas, St. Martin and Bermuda areamong countries in the world that

    have tuned to desalination.

    Desalination is an expensive undertaking, but is becoming

    more economically viable as the technology improves

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    The Spectre of a Whole

    Wide World Without Water

    Itshardtoimagineourorourcountry -- world without water.

    Butitsquitepossible.Anditcouldhappen sooner than we think orwouldwantandinourlifetime,as well. Yes, theres more water thanearth on Earth. But theres notenough drinking water for ev-eryone onEarth; and ifwe dontmend our ways, we may very wellsee ourselves causing the world todie of thirst.Impossible?Thinkagain.

    Just look at our own Caribbeanislands and continental territo-ries. Our rivers are drying fast inSt. Lucia and other Windward Is-

    lands due to a combination of badecological practices, while exist-ing water sources are becomingincreasingly under threat fromcontamination and several otherfactors.

    Hurricanes and erratic weatherpatterns continue to create havocwith water dams while ClimateChange continues to create in-creasing periods of worseningdroughts, reducing water avail-ability and increasing demand.

    And, to crown it all, national wa-ter companies are coming underincreasingnancial pressure as aresult of lower incomes from high-

    er debts due to the declining eco-nomic situation in most countriesand increasing pressure on incomeearners and unemployed alike.Governments nd it harder to

    fund water expansion and consum-ers continue to neglect paying wa-ter bills while spending many timesmore on purchasing bottled water.

    In the Caribbean, undergroundwater resource reserves are scarce.We depend more on rain and riverwater, both of which are underpressure in the continuing battlesbetween Man and Nature.

    We, in these parts of our world,

    are fully surrounded by sea water.But the cost of desalination is pro-hibitive at most, very costly at least.

    The continental Caribbean coun-tries (Belize, Guyana, Surinam,French Guiana, etc) are blessedwith large and long rivers, butthere too the water pressures exist,even though with different mani-festations. In Guyana, for exam-ple, the sheer size of the country(83,000 square miles) makes distri-bution of piped drinking water avery daunting task.

    In all Caribbean territories,peoplestill havent beenbrought

    EDITORIAL

    World Without Water?

    to equal levels of understandingor appreciation of the importance

    of saving, conserving and protect-ing water. Water companies stillhaveto publishannualDOs andDONTstoeducateandencourageconsumers about the importanceof water conservation. Weveneverfacedaregion-wideor even a national fatal drought ofthe types we see on TV in otherparts of our world. There are nointernational news reports aboutCaribbean children dying of thirstdue to unavailability of or access todrinkingwater.Wethereforedontsee ourselves as among those inthis whole wide world who would

    or could be affected by the real-ity, far less the notion of a worldwithout water. Butwedbemakingaverybigmistake if we, anywhere in theCaribbean, continue to take falsecomfort in our current ease ofavailability and access to drinkingwater, whether from our pipes orplastic bottles.

    International studies have prov-enthatifwedontgetouractto -gether around the world (includ-ing the Caribbean) we stand tosee a world without water by 2030just17yearsfromnow.Someofthe experts disagree on how soon

    it could happen, but all agree thatit is possible for us to see, in ourlifetime, a world without water.(See accompanying article entitledWaterless in 2030)

    Still unconvinced? Still in doubt?Skeptics are encouraged and in-vitedtogoalloutandndout.Butthosewho care,whove seen thesigns and who better understandthe woes the world will face with-outwater,justcantwaituntilev-eryone else is convinced.

    The pace at which we are caus-ing water to disappear, decreaseor simply go away, seems faster

    than the pace of education and re-alization. It therefore means moreneeds to be done to reverse thetrend, even while intensifying lo-cal, regional and global efforts atsensitizing the world to the realityof the danger of a waterless world.CAWASA remains as committedas ever to the cause of the preserva-tion, conservation and protectionoftheCaribbeanswaterresourcesand to the process of education toavert the ever woeful and wretch-ed reality of even the considerationof the real fact that we can see aworld without water.

    WHAT?

    A recent study by the EconomistIntelligence Unit (sponsored byOracle Utilities) reveals that if wa-ter utilities plan on meeting watersupply, large-scale infrastructureinvestments must be madeorelse demand will outstrip supply

    by 2030.The study, entitled Water for

    All?, compared the water resourcemanagement strategies of 10 coun-triesthe US, Canada, UK, Aus-tralia, France, Spain, Brazil, Russia,India and Chinaand surveyed244 water utility managers and ex-ecutives, including 20 in-depthinterviews with water executivesand independent experts.

    The participantsanswerers ledresearchers to conclude that whilewater providers are optimisticabout their ability to meet future

    demand, that ability will be ampli-edor hampered bygovernmentaction and consumer education --and all water purveyors will haveto think outside the box.

    The leading overall responseto water stress in the future is ex-

    pected to be a sharp focus on de-mand management, explains astatement released by Oracle inrelation to the report. This repre-sentsashiftinutilitiestraditionalemphasis on continuing to supplyincreasing quantities of water in re-sponse to increasing demand.

    Meanwhile, developing coun-tries have a tougher row to hoe.

    Thestudyssurveyofwaterre-source management strategies inthe developing world reveals thatclimate change and erratic weather

    patternswillincreasinglyinuence

    Waterless

    in 2030?Scientists and Executivesdiffer on how quickly and

    by how much, but all agree

    that world demand for

    water can outstrip supply

    in just 17 years

    In some countries water is already so scarce that it's locked away fromfree access. What'll it be like if it all runs out by 2030?

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    1

    The Spectre of a Whole

    Wide World Without Water.

    the creation and maintenance of in-frastructure in those countries.

    Utilities in the developing coun-tries, in contrast, are more likely tofocus on rolling-out or expandingbasic infrastructure, states thereport.

    Otherkeyndings:

    * Increased water stress b 2030:Due to growing demand for wa-ter caused by increasing popula-tions, changing climate patternsand wasteful consumer behav-ior, 39% of executives surveyedbelieve that the risk of nationalwater demand outstripping sup-

    ply by 2030 is highly likely,while 54% believe such a risk ismoderately likely. Failure toaddress this could result in sig-nicant economic, social, andhealth implications.

    * Barriers to conseration: Forty-vepercent (45%) of utilitiesespecially in developed mar-ketssee wasteful consumerbehavior as their biggest barrierto progress, while another 33%believe tariffs are too low tostimulate greater investment.

    In developing countries, a lack ofcapital for investment tops the list(41%), while worries over climatechange stand third overall (34%).

    * Encouraging consumer engage-ment: Half of respondents (49%)believe pricing structures needto be changed to encourage con-servation, while less than fourin 10 water utilities think waterprices must be held down to en-sure fair access to water for all(38%). With consumer behaviorbeing the biggest barrier to con-servation, it is critical for waterutilities to engage with consum-ers to overcome this challenge.

    * Increased investment: Almost allrespondents stated that they areincreasing investment to meetsupply challenges (93%), with

    morethanoneinve(22%)in -creasing investment by 15% ormore within the next three years.

    * Innovative industry: Promptedby necessity, the water sector isbecoming an increasingly promi-nent innovator, due to the imple-mentation technologies such assmart meters and desalinationsolutions.Forinstance,one-fth(20%) of water utilities in devel-oped markets regularly evaluatenew technologies, compared toone-third of developing coun-tries. However, more water utili-ties must improve their abilityto identify and implement suchadvances, with over one-third(36%) unaware of the innovation

    options available to them.* Stumbling blocks: Drought and

    increased water pollution areseen by respondents as the big-gest risks faced by water utili-ties and are considered the mostlikely to occur. Similarly, half ofrespondents polled felt that thatinformation and support fromgovernment bodies is lacking;while 43% recognize they mustdevelop their management tech-niques to more precisely mod-el future water availability orrainfall.

    The spectre of a world without water is already real in many countries in the developing world where parched earth and dried rivers

    leave millions who never knew pipes wondering whether they will ever cease depending on the heavens for water.

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    Lose weight: Drinking water helps lose weight because itushesdowntheby-productsoffatbreakdown.Drinkingwaterreduc -eshunger.Itsaneffectiveappetitesuppressantsoyoulleatless.Pluswater has zero calories.

    NaturalRemedyforHeadache: Helps to relieveheadache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasonscontribute to headache, dehydration is the common one.LookYoungerwithHealthierSkin:Youlllookyoungerwhenyourskinis properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizesskin and increases skin elasticity.

    Better Productiit at Work: You brain is mostlymade up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better, be morealert and more concentrated.

    Better Exercise: Drinking water regulates your body tem-perature.Thatmeansyoullfeelmoreenergeticwhendoingexercises.Water also helps to fuel your muscle.

    Helps in Digestion and Constipation:Drink-ing water raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiberand water goes hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowelmovement.

    Less Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helpskeepyourjointsandmuscleslubricated,soyoulllesslikelygetcrampsand sprains.

    LessLikelytoGetSickandFeelHealthy:Drinkingplentyofwaterhelpsghtagainstuandotherailmentslikekidney stones and heart attack. Water adds with lemon is used for ail-ments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and ar-thritisetc.Inanotherwordsoneofthebenetsofdrinkingwateristhatit can improve you immune system.

    RelievesFatigue:Waterisusedbythebodytohelpushout toxins and waste products from the body. If you body lacks water,your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygen-ated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organswill be exhausted and so will you. Good Mood: Your body feels verygoodandthatswhyyoufeelhappy.

    ReducetheRiskofCancer:Related to the digestivesystem, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of watermay reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutesthe concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens thetime in which they are in contact with bladder lining.

    Health Benets of Water

    Inthisissue,e-SourceofferssomeHealthyHintsaboutTheBenetsofDrinkingWater

    EvERy DAy!

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    Attherst-ever meeting of wa-ter ministers in the Caribbean, nineministers with responsibility forwater resources management com-mitted to making all essential ef-forts in addressing water security

    and climate change in the region.The assurance was given dur-

    ing the rst week of October atthe 8th Annual High Level Session(HLS) Ministerial Forum in TheBahamas.

    The Forum is a joint initiative ofthe Global Water Partnership-Ca-ribbean (GWP-C) and its partnerthe Caribbean Water and Waste-water Association (CWWA).

    Critical to the declaration signedby the ministers was their recogni-tion that high level political leader-ship is key for meeting water secu-rity and climate change challengesfaced by the Caribbean.

    This, along with other recom-mendations, was sanctioned byministers from The Bahamas, An-guilla, Barbados, Belize, Dominica,Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

    It was also deemed imperativethat Caribbean governments in col-laboration with regional partnersshould conduct national assess-ments on the status of IntegratedWater Resources Management

    (IWRM) implementation in the Ca-ribbean and keep the implementa-tion of IWRM under continuousreview.

    During the two-day HLS, min-isters and senior government of-

    cials offered their perspectiveson national and regional prioritiesfor water security in the Caribbeanand discussed regional water re-source coordination at the ministe-rial level.

    Included in the main issuesbrought to the table were the needfor greater focus on IWRM; disasterrisk reduction; closer integrationof the water sector with other sec-tors; access to water; water tariffs;the need for more water experts inthe region; raising water conserva-tion consciousness at the national

    and regional level; looking intovarious water technologies to con-trol resources; the use of rainwaterharvesting as a mitigation practice;watersimpactonhealth;andcli-mate being key to addressing wa-ter security.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Min-ister of Natural Resources and Ag-riculture of Belize, Margarito Gas-par Vega, cited legislation passedin Belize in 2010 to introduce anIWRM Act.

    Minister of Water, Land, Envi-

    ronment and Climate Change ofJamaica, Robert Pickersgill, viewedClimate Change as one of the mostcritical issues to be addressed in re-lation to water security.

    This view was endorsed by Dr

    David Estwick, Minister of Agri-culture, Food, Fisheries and WaterResource Management of Barba-dos, who gave support to buildingclimate change resilience but ad-vised that a lot of preliminary workshouldrstbe done nationallytobetter understand how water andother sectors such as sanitation areintegrated.

    He pointed out that it is crucialthat national research is conductedfor Caribbean countries to be fullyaware of the status of their waterresources.

    Carlisle Powell, Minister ofCommunications, Works, Pub-lic Utilities, Post, Physical Plan-ning, Natural Resources andEnvironment of Nevis, stressedthat the Caribbean needs to domore in promoting and commu-nicating the importance of waterconservation, and articulated theneed to educate communities onconserving water and reportingleaks.

    Varying national priorities onwater notwithstanding, there wasa consensus among ministers that

    similar water resource challengesare faced in their respective coun-tries and a clear means of movingforward on these issues should becharted.

    The ministers through their dis-

    cussions and informed technicalinputs from national, regional andinternational agencies such as theCaribbean Community (CARI-COM), the Caribbean Environ-mental Health Institute (CEHI),the Caribbean Development Bank(CDB), the United Nations En-vironment Programme (UNEP),among others, agreed on sevencritical concerns toward achiev-ing national and regional watersecurity.

    These comprised water as a na-tional development issue; Integrat-

    ed Water Resources Management(IWRM); climate change and wa-ter; wastewater; regional coopera-tion; capacity building, and publicawareness.

    Global Water Partnership-Carib-bean (GWP-C) and its partner theCaribbean Water and WastewaterAssociation CWWA) are commit-ted to supporting the realisation ofthe recommendations coming outof the 8th High Level Session (HLS)Ministerial Forum, in cooperationwith regional governments andother partners. (Caribbean360.com)

    Caribbean Water Ministers

    address Regional Water Security

    and Climate Change Challenges

    Critical to the Declaration signed by the ministers was their recognition that high level political leadership is a key factor for meeting watersecurity and climate change challenges faced by the Caribbean.

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    company acknowledges owing the$4 million to its workers and saysit is in the process of concludingfunding arrangements to meets itscommitment under the agreement.Butitwontbedrawnintogivingintotheworkersdemandfor armdate, leading to a minority of work-ers mounting a few days of dailyprotestsoutsidethecompanysmainofcesatLAnseRoadinCastries.

    All the company was prepared tosay is that it is involved in negotia-tionstopayupaspromisedandthat the payment of retroactivewages would be concluded by theend of 2012 and that there hasbeen no change in that schedule.It however regretted that a minor-ity of workers had taken action andthanked the majority who remainedon the job to provide services to cus-tomers island-wide.

    WASCO has been cash-strappedfor decades, especially since it wassaddled with the massive $150 mil-lion cost of the giant Sir John Comp-ton Dam at Roseau, built with Cana-dian help in the 1980s.

    Thecompanysrevenueearningshave always been dented by indebt-edness of consumers, many of whichend up being disconnected.

    WASCOs water does not attractthe Value Added tax (VAT) imple-mented on October 1, but the compa-nyisntintheveryprotablebottledwater business, which many on theisland see as a lucrative possibility forthe cash-strapped water company.

    There have been efforts to priva-tize WASCO, with reputable inter-

    nationalwaterrmsinvitedtobid.But the process was discontinuedprematurely after one of the bid-ding companies raised questionsand threatened legal action regard-ing how the then government han-dled the process.

    Eventually, while still pointing toits high debt woes -- especially itsmonthly electricity bill payments toLUCELEC -- and its state of insolven-cy, the company relented and assuredthe two unions it will seek to pay theworkers during the week of Decem-ber17-21,2012.(SeeWaterMinistersstatement, also on this page.)

    Staff at St. Lucias Water andSewage Company (WASCO)downed tools in November to pressthe company to speed-up an over-due $4 million payout due by theendofDecember.Itwasntanof -cial strike or withdrawal of labour,moreamuscle-exingexerciseun -dertaken with the knowledge butnot consent of the two unions in-volved, both of which pleaded notguilty of authorizing their mem-bersactions.

    The workers, represented by theSt. Lucia Civil Service Association(CSA) and the National Work-ers Union (NWU), are pressingWASCO about an agreed and nowoutstanding 10% increase over thethree-year period ending Decem-ber 2012.

    The two unions say they are be-ing pressed by the workers to getPay Day dates from WASCO, butthecompanyhasntbeenabletoof-fer any assured dates.

    The press described it as a wild-cat strike. But the workers saidthey downed their tools tom pressthe company to give then dates bywhich they will get paid. We haveto pay VAT and Christmas is com-ing, but we were not hearing any-thing from management, said onestriking worker.

    CSA President David Demacqueand NWU President Tyrone May-nard addressed a joint meetingof monthly and fortnightly paidworkers, at which both leaders reit-erated the position that the workerswere not on strike or go slow, pro-

    test action or any form of industrialaction.

    They just want a date on whichWASCO will pay the back-pay thatis due, Maynard said. They twounionPresidentssaidtheworkersrequestisfullyjustiedandtheyare in full support.

    The monthly paid workerseventually joined the work stop-page, but both union leaders side-stepped issues relating to the gov-ernment questioning legality of thework stoppage under the EssentialServices Act.

    Theislandscash-strappedwater

    WASCO Workers Hold-

    back their Labour for

    Back-pay for Christmas!

    Each day during their work stoppage, a few WASCO workers milledoutside the company's headquarters to protest not being told exactly

    what date they will be paid.

    The Ministry of Sustainable Devel-opment, Energy, Science and Technol-ogy views, with serious concern, theongoing industrial unrest at the Water

    and Sewerage Company Inc. (WAS-CO).

    The Ministry has been made to un-derstand that a group of workers hasdecided to engage in a work stoppageto demand a date for the payment ofretroactive wages, consequent uponthe successful conclusion of negotia-tionsbetweenWASCOsmanagementand the Labour Unions representingthe workers.

    It is important to note that negotia-tions between WASCO and the Unionshave been amicably completed, withthe Parties agreeing to a 10% increasein wages for all workers for the negoti-

    ated triennium 2010-2012.

    A Generous Package Giventheveryprecariousnancialstate of WASCO and the present eco-nomic climate, this was a generoussettlement.

    The wage increase for the trienniumis broken down into a 4% increase for2010, 4% increase for 2011, and a 2%increase for 2012.This 4-4-2 Agreement over the nego-tiated period is above the increase inthe cost of living for the correspond-ing period. As a consequence of thewage settlement, there is a retroactive

    payment (or back-pay) owed to theWASCO workers of approximately $4million.

    It is our understanding that WAS-COs management, by letter datedOctober 8th, 2012. gave a written com-mitment to both Trade Unions to doall within (its) capacity to complete theretroactivepaymentsasefciently aspossible by year end.

    Insolvent CompanyWASCO is an insolvent company,

    whose liabilities far exceed its assets.As a result, it is virtually impossibleforthecompanytoraiseanynance

    for its operations, expansion or proj-ects to improve the provision of pota-ble water to the people of Saint Lucia.

    The Company is unable to meetits expenses, which include a debt ofover $12.8 million to the Saint LuciaElectricity Services (LUCELEC). OurGovernment commends LUCELECon its exemplary patience and under-standing in working with WASCOand Government to reduce this liabil-ity, which grows by approximately$400,000 every month.

    Currently, WASCOs total debtstands at over $100 million and itsmonthlyworkingcapitaldecitisap -

    proximately $600,000.

    Minister saysWASCO workerswere misled into

    taking illegal actionThe following statement was issued by the

    Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy,

    Science and Technology on November 16, 2012,

    in relation to the Industrial Action at WASCO

    over outstanding back-pay

    Long-term Viability PlanOn the strength of a mandate from

    the Cabinet of Ministers, a special com-mittee has worked on developing aplan to secure the long-term viabilityof WASCO.This involves some immediate mea-sures to improve theCompanys bal-ance sheet and actions to attract newinvestments and improve the cashow.

    The Cabinet of Ministers recentlyapproved a payment of $3.1 million toWASCO to allow for the commence-ment of some critical work on the JohnCompton Dam to address the heavysiltation at the Dam, which is compro-mising its ability to ensure a reliable

    supply of water during the upcoming2013 dry season.

    Therefore, in the current circum-stances, the company is going aboveand beyond its means to address theconcerns of the staff with respect to thenew Collective Bargaining Agreement.

    Illegal ActionIt should also be noted that the cur-

    rent action by this minority group ofworkers is illegal based upon the stipu-lations of the Essential Services provi-sion of the Labour Act.

    The timeframe for the payments ofretroactive wages agreed to betweenWASCOsmanagement teamand theTrade Unions is not in dispute.

    We are also aware that no notice hasbeen given to WASCO, the Labour De-partment or the Minister with respon-sibility for Labour of a grievance overthe payment schedule.

    Therefore, it appears that some ofWASCOsworkersare beingled intoillegal action under the provisions ofthe Labour Act.

    The Ministry is pleased to note, how-ever, that this action notwithstanding,the management of WASCO is con-tinuing to work to ensure that the mat-

    ter is resolved.

    Water Minister Senator Dr JamesFletcher says WASCO is insolvent

    and deep in hot water over debtwas illegal under law

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    Mexico and the US have agreed tonew rules on sharing and manag-ing water from the Colorado Riv-er, which serves some 30 million

    people in the two nations.Under the deal, the US will sendless water to Mexico during adrought, while Mexico will beable to store water north of theborder during wet years.

    TheColoradoRiverows1,450miles (2,230km) from the Rockiesinto the Gulf of California and re-

    cent droughts and increased waterusage have put pressure on the river.

    "We have chosen collaboration overconict,wehavechosenco-operation

    and consensus over discord," said USInterior Secretary Ken Salazar.

    "The Colorado River, in so manyways, makes us one people, and to-gether we face the risk of reducedsupplies in years ahead." Treatychanged.

    The US and Mexico signed a

    treaty in 1944 governing the alloca-tion of resources from the ColoradoRiver, which supplies seven US andtwo Mexican states. But in the en-

    suing decades, population growth,increased industry and farming, aswell as droughts, have put pressureon the river.

    The latest accord, which runs un-til 2017, is a major amendment ofthe original treaty, which stipulatesthat the US must send a set amountto Mexico, enough to supply some

    three million homes, no matterhow low the river level.

    But now, Mexico will forgosome of its share during drought,

    a practice already followed by thestates of California, Arizona andNevada.

    In return, Mexico, which haslittle storage capacity, is allowedto store water in times of surplusin Lake Mead, a vast reservoir bythe Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border.

    Mexico and USA sign water-sharing deal

    There are seven billion peo-ple to feed on the planet todayand another two billion are ex-pected to join by 2050.

    Statistics say that each of usdrinks from two to four litresof water every day. However,mostofthewaterwedrinkisembedded in the food we eat:producing one kilo of beef,for example, consumes 15,000litres of water, while 1 kilo of

    wheatdrinksup1,500litres.When a billion people in the

    world already live in chronichunger and water resourcesare under pressure we cannotpretend the problem is else-where.

    Coping with populationgrowth and ensuring accessto nutritious food to everyonecall for a series of actions wecan all help with:

    Followahealthier,sustainablediet;

    Consumelesswater-intensiveproducts;

    Reduce the scandalous foodwastage: 30% of the food pro-duced worldwide is nevereaten and the water used toproduceitisdenitivelylost!

    Producemore food,of betterquality, with less water.

    At all steps of the supply chain,

    from producers to consumers,actions can be taken to save wa-ter and ensure food for all.

    And you? Do you know howmuch water you actually con-sume every day? How can youchange your diet and reduceyour water footprint? Join theWorld Water Day 2012 cam-paign Water and Food Secu-rityandndoutmore!Theres

    still time

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    Rainwater harvesting is the gath-ering, or accumulating and storing,of rainwater and although the termsounds new to us, rain harvestinghas been practiced for more than4,000 years.

    Catching rain water and using itto assist our daily lives is a meansof removing total dependency forwater from the Barbados WaterAuthority (BWA) and although itmight conjure up images of an oldfarm cistern, the reality is that rain-

    water harvesting is becoming a vi-able alternative for supplying ourhouseholds and businesses withwater.

    Across the Caribbean rainwa-ter harvesting has been in use formany years. In St Lucia, polyeth-ylene plastic tanks, steel drumsand underground concrete cisternsare used to catch rain water. TheTurks and Caicos Islands have anumber of government-built, pub-lic rainfall catchment systems asit is mandatory that all develop-ers construct a water cistern large

    enough to store 400 l/m2 of roofarea.

    In Bermuda, most residents donot connect to the local water au-thority as they all catch rain waterand treat it for use for all purposes.Roofs in Bermuda are all white andare treated and designed to catchthewaterwhichltersintounder-ground tanks. Catching rainwaterfrom roof tops is also used through-out the Bahamas and in Jamaicanearly 100 000 Jamaicans dependon water from rain harvesting forthe majority of their needs.

    In Brazil and Argentina rainwa-ter harvesting is used in semi-aridregions and in Central Honduras,Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Sal-vador, rainwater harvesting usingrooftop catchments is used exten-sively in rural areas and on TheIslas de la Baha off the shores ofHonduras the population suppliesa substantial portion of their pota-ble water needs by using rainwaterfrom rooftops.

    Germany and Australia are veryinvolved in rain harvesting and in

    New Zealand, communities awayfrom the larger towns and citiesroutinely rely on rainwater collect-ed from roofs as the only source ofwater for all household activities.

    China rooftop rainwater harvest-ing is being practiced for providingdrinking water, domestic water,water for livestock, water for smallirrigation and as a way to replen-ish ground water levels and inthe Gansu province in China onemayndsomeofthelargestroof -top Frainwater harvesting ongoing

    In rural Northeastern Thai-land, a house is not a home if itdoes not have at least one hugerainwater jar. Ev ery householddepends on their rain jar for theirdaily water needs and some de-pend on rain jars sales for theirlivelihood.

    Rainwater harvesting has be-come essential in areas whererainfall is the only means of wa-ter supply and where there is thepossibility of drought. It has alsobecome a reality where there isplentiful rainfall but where gov-

    ernments are not equipped to pro-vide the needed system to pipe thewater to all households.

    In 1996 all newly constructedhomes in Barbados were requiredto construct water storage facilitiesif the roof area or living area equalsor exceeds 3 000 square feet and 1000 square feet or more for com-mercial buildings.

    In the Caribbean most of the rainfalls during the wet season leav-ing the dry months in danger ofdrought conditions and rain har-

    vesting is important in these con-ditionstosecureaconstantowofwater throughout the year.

    Benets

    The collection of rain wa-ter takes a hugh burden off theBWA and it is an excellent backup source in times of drought,low water pressures and whenthere are problems with the pub-lic supply and especially duringdisasters.

    If rain harvesting is put in prac-tice, schools and businesses wouldnot need to close when the BWA

    cannot supply water to some ar-eas and life can continue withoutmuch interruption.

    The fact that you own your rainwater gives you control over howyou use it. It is simple to constructand easy to maintain with littlecost and your rain water harvest-ing system can be designed accord-ing to what you can afford or want.Some persons might start with oneplastic tank while others mightbuild a more elaborate system.

    Rainwater is better for landscapeplants and gardens because it is notchlorinated and it can solve drain-age problems on your property.

    DisadantagesThere are however some disad-

    vantages to rain harvesting. Rainfrom the roof tops may be subject-ed to contamination by leaves, birddroppings and other pollutantsthat can enter the water.

    When there is little or no rain-fall, water levels would drop sig-nicantlyandtoavoidthishouse-holders would need to own a largeenough system that can reserveenough water that can last forweeks and this might be costly.

    House holders must secure allwater tanks/cisterns, etc from ac-cess by young children and pets.

    How you Can Use Rain Water

    Rainwater can really be usedanywhere you use tap water andeven for cooking and drinkingas long as it is treated. However,without any treatment thousandsof gallons of water can be savedand used as follows: Flushingoftoilets Laundry Inthe gardenand forwatering

    the lawns Irrigation systems for agricul-

    tural purposes Washingvehicles Bathingofpets Rellyourfountains,shponds

    and aquariumsWashing your driveways and

    sidewalks Use it for industrial processes

    instead of municipally treatedwater

    Rain Water Can also be treatedin your own home to be used fordrinking and cooking. (Barbados

    Rain HarvestingThe Barbados Experience

    White roofs are common throughout Bermuda


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