In the wake of the Tropical Storm Erika, several villages across the island found themselves without access safe drinking water.
Numerous water intakes, reservoirs and treatment facilities were destroyed and rendered useless by the ravaging streams and rivers to which they were connected.
Though the community of Salisbury was spared significant damage to infrastructure, and thankfully, no lives were lost, the water system was severely impacted. The pressing need for clean drinking water presented a unique challenge, as access to the damaged intake was impeded by numerous landslides, and the complete washing away of the road traversing a ravine on the way to the intake. DOWASCO had advised community officials that several lengths of pipe had been washed away or damaged during the storm.
What happened next to provide immediate relief was testimony to the power of community both locally and globally that gave birth to a number of initiatives now collectively known as the Salisbury Water Project.
As was the case nationwide, distressed by the stories of lack of drinking water, a small group of overseas residents began transferring funds within two days of the passage of the storm. Large supplies of drinking water were secured due to their efforts and the donations that came from the United Kingdom and the United States.
Following this initial distribution, it became clear that a bigger and more coordinated effort needed to be made. These overseas residents, liaising with the local Salisbury Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and several other volunteers, were able to set up an organized system, where every household within the community was registered by name and number of occupants, thus ensuring that the bi-weekly distributions at the two designated distribution points were fair, well monitored and recorded.
The response of overseas residents, friends and supporters was swift, and significant. Since the storm, a total of $14,372 was donated directly to the Salisbury Disaster Management Committee and another $27,695 was raised via The Dominican Diaspora Development Fund’s (DDDF) GoFundMe account: http://www.gofundme.com/js37mat3.
In tandem, following a meeting between the Salisbury Enhancement Committee, SDMC and DOWASCO, a plan was set in motion for the construction of a temporary intake that would, in the very least, supply the community with pipe borne water for domestic use. Several lengths of heavy cast iron pipes were carried a considerable distance uphill into the farming heights of Salisbury by the youth of Salisbury. The villagers bridged the damaged road and cleared the landslide. This admirable feat of koudmen meant that in less than three weeks, pipe borne water, though not suitable for drinking, was restored.
Additionally Darren Louis, founder of the DDDF, normally resident in the UK, expanded the project beyond hand delivering water to the elderly, sick and shut in. Under the advice of Mr Bernard Nation, an engineer from the community, Louis was able to purchase and install a Growonix water filtration system along with a tank and pump at the Salisbury Health Centre. The unit will provide an impressive 2,000 gallons of drinking water daily free of charge to the community. The entire system, which costs $10,000 will also work to alleviate the environmental impact of empty water bottles and the cost of supplying bottled water.
This particular aspect of the project will commence on Wednesday, September 30th, 2015.
Very good gesture young people of salsbury.it is great to see the young people of Dominica are once again embracing voluntarism.this noble concept was defined by reactionary politicians of the 70,80,and 90 as communism and so people were afraid to engage in those activities.let me give you my 2 cents bit of advice,when you are protesting and you see police arrive get out of their way,because no one is allowed to go free when you attack police in any society in the world.we all know that the of salsbury are decent and hard working Dominicans but people are sometimes are led astray by leaders.
love it! Proud to be from bawi Good work.
Once again the village of Salisbury has shown us their forward thinking and hard working mentality… Salisbury you have done it again. Strong people with strong minds… exactly what the rest of Dominica seem to hate…. #IAmSalisbury
I am proud to be part of this lovely communty, hard working people. Keep it up dont loss focus
That’s what I call community spirit! Don’t you see that’s better than the illegal protest?
Very impressive! Kudos!
I am very impressed with my people. Very hard working and independent!! We will survive!!! Community spirit is alive and well in Salisbury!
God bless the good people of Salisbury!!!
Villagers of Salisbury u need to be commended for this initiative. U have proven time and again what a progressive community u are. Hats off to u.
Perfect example of people working together for the good of all. Proud to be Dominican
A well written piece…a breath of fresh air amidst all the acrimony that we have been hearing/seeing/experiencing …. Well done people of Salisbury…a model to be emulated!!!!
Proud of my community . Well Done! Always a group of people who stick together.
They were also the ones who started work on the Macoucherie road. Hats off to you.
Really worked hard.
BWARVO! !! (clap, clap) SALISBURY AHEAD!! WE TALK LESS, AND WORK MORE!!! Next project!!
This is just fantastic. The same spirit came into play to assist DOMLEC to restore electricity to the community. DOMLEC employees were very impressed. Great Job and God bless.
A great example of we can achieve as a people and not necessarily have to depend on Gov.
Great job you people from Salisbury. It fills me with job to see people mobilize themselves so quickly without having to wait for government to do for them what they can do for themselves.
Fantastic! Good to see that, even in times of distress, careful consideration was given to environmental impacts and the needs of the less able. A fine community undertaking – well done!
Great job Salisbury community. I have always admired your sense of hard work and community spirit. Keep it up.
Is that enough motivation to drop the charges!!!!
I have always admired these independent, self-sufficient people.
Good job, however let us stop this crap about independent and self reliance when the funds to make this possible were donations from other people.
The funds that were donation largely came from community members overseas. Did you read the article?
you know a laborite when s comes from their mouth
Shut your damn mouth, monies were donated and well spent for the community, it wasn’t squandered nor pocketed. Monies donated by itself can’t do any good.
Wow. Thanks for the insight! Good thing you all have a diaspora to support else……
In my opinion this article was put together very well. no politics no haterade just Dominicans on a mission to collectively solve a problem. well done.
Now that is Dominican. Actually serving the people instead of making them your servants. And they didn’t have to bring that red t-shirt and cap or even a blue one to get anything. Wow. Good example here.
Great community vibes! That’s the spirit of the people of Salisbury.