Transcript Water demand continues to change rapidly

National Inter-Ministerial Dialogue
on Climate Change
Analysis of the Water Sector
Presented by Shanta King
Bay Gardens Hotel
Castries, Saint Lucia
20-22 May, 2009
Relevance of Water Sector

Water is Life! Freshwater is a fragile, finite and vulnerable resource vital
to human, economic and environmental sustainability and influences national
prosperity and quality of life. Catalyst for Economic Development.
 Water demand continues to change rapidly - extreme north due to high
infra structural development and migration of people into areas in the north
and other major centers of commercial activity in the south.
 Water supply versus demand deficit island wide affected directly by
rainfall distribution.
 Potable water supply has been severely affected by pressures of increased
demand as a result of socio -economic development, destruction of upper
watersheds, increasing exploitation of the rivers and wetlands, and an
inefficient, inadequate and aging water distribution network.
 The ability of WASCO to meet the current demand for water, island wide
is as a result of a combination of marginal river base flows experienced during
the dry season and high turbidity during the rainy season.
Relevance of Water Sector


Climate Change Impacts on the Sector:
 Changes in surface and groundwater systems
 Changes in water quality
 Increased flooding
 Increased droughts
 Changes in water temperature
 Changes in water chemistry
 Increased water erosion and sedimentation
 Decreased freshwater availability due to saltwater intrusion
Anthropogenic activities currently affecting the quality of rivers
& freshwater systems. These include: housing, agriculture, water
abstraction, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, tourism,
fishing, river sand mining, manufacturing, river bathing and
picnicking, and river alteration.
Description of the Water Sector
 Saint Lucia experiences a tropical marine climate with 2 seasons – Wet
(June-November), Dry (December-May).
 Water demand continues to change rapidly - extreme north due to high
infra structural development and migration of people into areas in the north
and other major centers of commercial activity in the south.
 Water resources from surface sources in rivers, wetlands, streams and
springs. 37 main sources of surface run-off & few groundwater sources.
Integrated network of river intakes, treatment plants, transmission pipelines
and distribution systems.
 Four (4) major water supply systems in the country: North - Roseau
Dam and Hill 20, South - Grace and Beausejour. Supply to the treatment
plants through both gravity and pumped conveyance systems which treat
the raw water in filtration plants and then disinfect.

Approx. 56,000 customers (residential & commercial)
Description of the Water Sector
IMPACTS
Climate Change Factor: Sea Level Rise
 Sea level rise may precipitate the intrusion of salt water into fresh water
lenses, particularly in low- lying coastal areas.
Climate Change Factor: Tropical Storm Activity
 Destruction and/or modification of existing aquatic ecosystems caused
by the increased frequency and intensity of precipitation.
 Soil erosion resulting from increased surface run off on exposed soils.
 Siltation of river systems during periods of increased rainfall.
Description of the Water Sector
IMPACTS
Climate Change Factor: Precipitation
Decreased precipitation:
 Periods of low precipitation are likely to be accompanied by extended dry
periods.
 Increased frequency & Intensity of precipitation:
 Destruction and/or modification of existing aquatic ecosystems.
 Siltation of river systems.
 Increased incidence of flooding.
 The likelihood of cross contamination from leaching of pit latrines into
flood plains increases during flooding.
Climate Change Factor: Temperature
 Possibility of excessive evapo-transpiration associated with the level of
temperature increases of the high precipitation scenario.
 Municipal demands are likely to increase as higher temperatures lead to
increased water consumption.
Proposed Adaptation Options
 Reductions in line losses and improvement of water supply
infrastructure.
 Restoration of riverbanks and wetlands
 Water conservation (Rainwater harvesting, wastewater
re-use, desalination)
 Public awareness
 Improved management of forest resources including private
forests
 Strengthen and sustain data collection systems
 Development of a national water management plan
Proposed Adaptation Options
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GOSL Climate Change Policy and Adaptation Plan (2003)
Develop basis for sound decision making by developing of capacity to
undertake research into relevant climate change processes.
Undertake a comprehensive inventory of all water resources including
surface and ground water.
Promote strengthening of national water management agencies to ensure
the sound management of the island’s water resources.
Develop a long-term national water management plan which addresses
Climate Change concerns including catchment & watershed protection &
saltwater intrusion.
Undertake reforestation & other measures to increase the resilience of
watersheds and catchments to maximize water availability & to reduce soil
erosion and sedimentation.
Assess & address needs for water storage & distribution infrastructure to
ensure water availability during drought periods.
Promote initiatives to identify & exploit non-traditional water sources such
as groundwater.
Recommendations for conducting
assessment of I&FF
Proposed approach to assess investment and financial flows:
1. Development and application of appropriate models to clearly
articulate anticipated climate change scenarios and the effects on the
sector. Use of the PRECIS model and a compatible global model. (SNC)
2. Situation analysis using a basic scenario with or without climate change.
3. Assessment of costs anticipated with the existing challenges without the
application of climate change scenarios.
4. Assessment of costs associated with climate change. (Other Costs
EC$1.7 billion for 30yrs, US$61.4 million short to medium term)
5. Comparison of implementation timeline of normal development
objectives in the sector. Determination of extent to which climate
change impacts would have an effect in advance of the normal
development commitments.
6. Establishment of a system for allocating investments and financial flows
to climate change adaptation. (SNC)
Thank You
for your attention
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