National Inter-Ministerial Dialogue

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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
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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.
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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.
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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

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Proposed Adaptation Options

• 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 islands 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.

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Recommendations for conducting assessment of IFF

• Proposed approach to assess investment and
  financial flows
• 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)
• Situation analysis using a basic scenario with or
  without climate change.
• Assessment of costs anticipated with the existing
  challenges without the application of climate
  change scenarios.
• Assessment of costs associated with climate
  change. (Other Costs EC1.7 billion for 30yrs,
  US61.4 million short to medium term)
• 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.
• Establishment of a system for allocating
  investments and financial flows to climate change
  adaptation. (SNC)

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• Thank You
• for your attention