From time immemorial population centres have been plagued with the adverse effects of natural disasters and unpredictable weather patterns, of which the island of Dominica is no exception.
However, this situation is unfortunately exacerbated by the actions of human beings through bad environmental practices and often an utter disregard and neglect for sustainable and safe practices where the environment is concerned. Despite the fact that many Caricom countries have adequate rainfall levels during the wet season, every year there are noted shortages during the dry season. The region’s growing population and climate changes mean that the region’s water resources are unfortunately becoming scarcer.
There have been numerous attempts by government bodies to address the problem of water shortages during the dry season, to which there have been negligible or unsatisfactory outcomes. Significant hydrological shifts are occurring in the Caribbean and the island of St Lucia is suffering from the repercussions that unduly result from such a change. We need not look to other islands to realise that the land of which we boast clean, clear and pristine rivers, might soon be in the same predicament, with the onset of the dry season.
The notion that Dominica has been blessed with 365 rivers has made us too complacent. In fact, does this belief even hold water? Have any recent surveys or research been done on the actual number of rivers we have left in Dominica? It is quite obvious to the general populace that some of our rivers do not even flow year round. We have all commented on and lament the fact that our rivers are not the same as they were 10 years ago. No longer can anyone attempt to take a dive off the Roseau bridge! The volume and quality of the water flowing through our rivers have drastically decreased. Inevitably so, due to increased urbanisation near the rivers, pollution due to fertiliser runoff from neighbouring agricultural plots and disposal of garbage into the rivers. We need new and innovative water planning strategies to properly manage our resources. Rainwater harvesting provides a sustainable solution to this water woe.
Rainwater harvesting is the retrieval, collection and subsequent reuse of rainwater. It is valued for its superior quality, with a pH nearly neutral and is free of harmful by-products of disinfection. It is an old but well respected technique currently gaining popularity for its tendency to provide a water supply that can be considered safe, sufficient and inexpensive. Rooftop catchments and tank storage have been the basis of domestic water supply on many small islands in the Caribbean. The use of collecting rainwater from roofs have somewhat declined in some countries but it is estimated that more than 500 000 depend in part on such supplies.
Thus far, rainwater harvesting has been a fairly successful and environmentally sound solution to urban challenges but only when it is implemented in an organised and systematic manner. The demand on the municipal water supply can be greatly reduced with the incorporation of rainwater harvesting practices. Another key advantage of collecting rainwater for reuse is that it could be used in various ways, all of which are effective. Collected water could be used for non-potable domestic purposes, such as cleaning, watering plants and flushing toilets. A more advanced rainwater harvesting system, which is a bit less popular due to higher implementation costs, is one with a pump and/or purification system installed. The installation process is also very flexible since tanks can be installed at ground level, on roofs, underground and on platforms.
Rainwater harvesting systems in drought periods should be seriously, if not immediately considered. The Ministries involved must take the initiative to promote the concept of water resource independence and restoration of the natural hydrological cycle and highlight its importance as a key supply during the dry season. The government should even look at the creation of tax exemption opportunities for those seeking to use rainwater harvesting tanks. The encouragement of human resource in supporting rainwater harvesting systems as a tool for conserving water is of equal importance. The quest for a viable solution is a difficult but achievable one through thorough research, collection of accurate data and the sensitisation of our people to the importance of rainwater harvesting in mitigating the water shortage problem. Moreover, the sooner we dispel the myth that Dominica has an inexhaustible supply of water, the shorter our mission for self-sustainability will be.
WRITTEN BY: JODIE DUBLIN (Bsc. Civ. Eng. w/ Envi. Eng)
Hi Jodie,
Congrats on the completion of your BSc. Just out and already making your mark. Impressive.
Congratulations on your article. It is a very well written and your selection of topic is very appropriate as we go through this year’s dry season. It is timely and necessary that we in the Caribbean explore and implement this practice on a larger scale.
As we in the Caribbean join the world wide efforts for sustainability, water resource management is a topic high on the agenda. We have become too complacent towards our seemingly ample water supply and constant flow of pipe borne water.
Presently I am doing my thesis on Rainwater harvesting in St Vincent and with this years very water scarce dry season there is talk on so many levels of the need to go back to this ancient practice. This article is a very timely wake up call, not only to Dominica but the rest of the region.
Again congratulations on the your article and I look forward to seeing great thing from you in the future.
Keep up the good work Jodie!
What a great resource!
I think that Dominicans have taken the water situation for granted but since we are now experiencing a drought, though we still have water running in the rivers, it is time to start building reservoirs and have a few wells around. The times they are a changin………
well said,
not only in Anquilla,but the other neighdoring islands stil uses cistern,even st.croix,but ……….cisterns must be clean and clorine must be addaed in the cisterns,with filters and the use of water pumps,
if D/ca really consider of using rain water ,it would be wise choice,but use it only for cleaning and washing,cause the water still has to be filterd or purified,for health reasons,
thk you
a very interesting article by miss dublin water is continualy miss used on the island during the summer and time like this a hose ban should be in place you see people at the stand pipes washing vehicles but one thing i want to high light is deforestation for long as i have known the construction industy has been at the heart of deforestation on dominica every time a builder has a fondation to cast he used trees to support the fondation these trees have been taken from the forest and this have been going on for years and years the government has to step in and outlaw this process of building and impose huge fine for anyone found breaking the law there are other ways of supporting fondation we need to save the rivers and the rain forest
This is a very timely article as Dominica and several other islands in the eastern Caribbean are witnessing the onset of an early ‘ dry season’. Tax incentives on cisterns and water harvesting equipment certainly deserve consideration at this time. Perhaps we could go further by making rain water harvesting a requirement in all new housing developments. This would go a long way in reducing the pressure on existing and future domestic water systems.
The writer should be commended for urging us to give our collective heads a good shake when it comes to water use and water supplies in Dominica.
we have been harvesting rain water in DA for years, asks farmers and people who live in remote areas in Dominica. we just need to be more progressive and more systematic with our approach.
This technique has been implimented in Anguilla for decades and works quite well since they have no rivers and veryy little rainfall due to the flat topography of the island. The little bit of rain which occasionally falls, is trapped in cisterns which are constructed beneath the houses. For many people this suffices their year long needs for water as some of the cisterns are constructed quite large and can hold several thousand gallons of water. Naturally, due care and attention is paid to the controlled used of this scarce commodity.
Well thought out…education of the masses is the first and most important step in the equation. Involve the people and let them know they have a stake in the future of the island’s water resource..You had some great points(i e) tax breaks for importers of these rain collection devices. Another paramount activity is to start at the grass roots levels ( involve Pre schoolers, the youths,) once they get on board they will carry the message home…
Interesting article.. Do not forget the forests lest DA become like Haiti where they have used in excess of what should have been used, through no fault of theirs… Plant trees to replenish those lost through logging, indiscriminate harvesting, making of fore wood..
Help nature help DA
Miss Dublin excelent article. I have not seen you in a long time.
I Think there is a potential for a small buisness. Instead of depending on the Government we the young people with new ideas must come together and start marketing these idea. Designing these systems and install them islandwide or region wide. There is going to be a huge market for such simple but effecient technology in the islands knowing the unreliability of Dowasco.
We should Start a private environmental consulting firm that will be more effective than the Government.