Short description of the best practice

A Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) Demonstration System
which will promote a simple and low-cost water supply technology
which can provide water of an acceptable quality. This would complement
the current water scheme and ensure the reliability of
water supply within the Fond D’or watershed, particularly during
the dry season and periods of induced and natural drought. This
activity would include needs assessments; training of contractors;
construction of 20 RWH units at homes, schools, community centres,
health centres, sporting facilities, etc; community awareness
exercises; and an evaluation of the economic and other major
impacts on demonstration households|

Location

Fond D'Or Watershed

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

4650.0

Estimated population living in the location:

8624.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

The area is characterised by hills and valleys,ranging in topography of 0-50 degrees.|
Climatic predisposition of the area - Subtropical life
zone.The Fond D’Or watershed is the second largest in St. Lucia and comprises
approximately 9860 acres or 3990 hectares. Approximately 23% of the watershed
is under protection - Government Forest Reserves which are located in the upper
watershed. The Fond D’Or watershed is among the seven (7) of the 37
watersheds in St. Lucia that are an important source of water supply. The most
extensive area of natural forest is located along the northern
According to the land capability map of St. Lucia (OAS 1988) only 11.3% of and in the watershed falls under productive or prime agricultural land classes
(I, II, III).|

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

The control of land by a single or few land owners dates back to the plantation era. There have been some
interventions including the MVDP project which to sought to reallocate land to
the local community for farming purposes while at the same time maintaining
the commercial agricultural core. The project also targeted the housing sector by making available sites and service schemes in settlement expansion areas and regularized as far as possible existing spontaneous settlement areas.
The area benefits from a strong economic base in agriculture.There are close
to1000 commercial banana farmers in the District of which the majority are
located in the Fond D’Or watershed. The community has some experience in agro processing - the well known Aunt Lucie processing plant was located in Grande Ravine.
The strong spirit of togetherness of the people of the watershed notwithstanding their geographic location within 10 settlements was seen as a strength. This is manifested in the existence of several local community based groups and organizations historically and currently.Unemployment in the watershed is high especially among the youth and
outside agriculture and the distributive trades; while other sectors are at the rudimentary stage of development.

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

NA

Main problems addressed by the best practice

The rational of revisiting this traditional system has to do with the reduction of the general quality and quantity of water present within rivers and streams,within the boundries of the Fond D'Or Watershed.Also,this practice,assists in water storage during periods of drought.|

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

Drought and inadequate potable water supply

Specify the objectives of the best practice

A Rainwater Harvesting Study was conducted and implemented by the IWCAM project and its design and recommendations implemented. The objectives of this system is to serve as a back up to augment household water supply and to safeguard  the health of community members, within the project area. |

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Selecting households to implement rainwater harvesting system and establish system for demonstration purposes.
A rainwater harvesting Study was conducted within the watershed to determine feasibility of establishing system within the project area.||
Public awareness and sensitisation activities were conducted to involve and help improve on the knowledge base of community members.
Training activities were conducted to increase capacity of the members of the community,in terms of establishing the system.|

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

It consist primarily of a guttering, storage tank and fuel pump.The basic operations of this system are as follows;
(a)When rain falls the water is diverted from the roof to the guttering.
(b)After diversion to the guttering the initial flow is flushed for debris etc.
(c)After lushing, the water then flows into the storage tank .
(d)The water is then treated with chlorine , then pumped as needed, throughout the household.
NA

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

IWCAM Demonstration Project;Saint Lucia.|Mabouya Valley,Dennery.

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Ja

List the partners:

Fond D'Or Watershed Management Committee.(FDWMC)

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• National initiative – government-led
• Programme/project-based initiative

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Ja

List local stakeholders involved:

Fond D'Or Watershed Management Committee. (FDWMC)|Local Building Contractors.|Ministry of Health.(Health Centres)|Local Community Groups.|Ministry of Education.(Local Schools)|Ministry of Sports.

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

The local contractors were trained to establish these systems at various locations within the watershed.(Homes, schools, community centres,health centres, sporting facilities, etc).The Fond D'Or Watershed Management Committee was integrally involved in the development,introduction and implementation of the system.The other stakeholders,Schools, Health Centres etc,are beneficiaries of the system,as the RWH system were established within their compounds for use.Also,these beneficiaries may serve as an important source of information, as regards its use and functions. |

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Ja

By means of what?

• Consultation
• Participatory approaches

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

Although this is not a new idea, because traditionally St. Lucians have always collected rainwater, especially in remote areas, where it was difficult to obtain pipe-bourne water, the system has been modified.|

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

The benefit of having an alternative source of water for domestic use can improve on the socio-economic living conditions of people within the community.
This system can help to ease the pressure on demands for potable water from reservoirs by residents,thus making more water available for additional developmental projects.|

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

As I mentioned earlier,this practice is important,especially as it relates to periods of drought, where, whenever rainfall events occur, water can be captured and stored for household use. |
This best practice has a positive impact in relation to Climate Change adaptation.Due to this practice,the effects of drought is mitigated to some extent,since this provides an alternative source of water for various domestic requirements. |
This practice may not contrtibute to the reversal or improvement of the negative impacts of climate change because it is basically adaptive by nature.

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Ja

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Nee

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

The water quality of the Fond D’Or River and consequently Fond D’Or Bay is
a serious concern. The IWCAM project over the past 2 years has set up water
quality stations along the rivers in the Mabouya Valley. Most are seriously
• Declare the area around the new proposed Intake a forest reserve in accordance
with the Forest Soil and Water Conservation Act, to safeguard water supply
and integrity.
|
The adequate supply of quality potable water is a chronic and serious problem
in the Fond D’Or watershed, notwithstanding the size of the watershed
(second largest in the island) and low population density. Water supply from
the current system lags behind the current demand. Based on the population
of 10,000 people the current water demand is 60 litres per person or 6.91l/s.|
A recent study conducted under the IWCAM project by Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (2008) revealed that the watershed has the capacity to
supply current and future water demands (current – 25 years) but not via the
current supply system. A major new intake in a location of adequate supply,
along with supporting infrastructure, is proposed at Tournesse (tributary of
Riviere Du Mabouya).
(IWCAM 2008)
Source: IWCAM Water Supply Study|

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Ja

At which level?

• Local
• Sub-national
• National
• Subregional
• Regional

Related to human resources

The system does not require an excessive number of human resources to establish and maintain.

Related to financial aspects

. This system is practical and reliable once there is rainfall and the equipment continues to function properly. Also, in the long run, it can reduce on water expenses for households,therefor cost efficient.|

Related to technical aspects

The system is very easy to establish and can be replicated successfully within other areas with very little difficulties.

Additional questions of Leg 1

Commitment date: 38355.0