A programme for Promoting Rainwater Harvesting in the Caribbean

Caribbean Rainwater Harvesting Programmethe correct type or configuration that may cause either the introduction of contaminants, oraffect ability to service the cistern. In some cases simple techniques to treat the water toensure reduction in bacterial counts is not carried out.The awareness strategy will therefore need to address all aspects of management andmaintenance of RWH systems whether large-scale communal or individual systems. In thecase of the communal systems (for example on Carriacou and Petit Martinique), creating clearunderstanding on the roles of the various stakeholders in provision of quality water fromcommunal systems will be required. Policy makers will need to be sensitized so as to recognizethe social and economic dimensions associated with management of common-propertyresources as is the case with operation and management of communal systems.4.3.1.2. Key actions• Public and policy-makers workshops and seminars – A series of workshops andseminars targeting community members, the private and commercial sectors, andpolicy makers will assist in promotion of the programme and create the environmentnecessary to foster investment in the practice. These seminars and workshops will needto be tailored to ensure maximum receptivity depending on the audience. It isanticipated that educational materials developed under the CEHI/UNEP project willform core resources for facilitators.• Media productions – Public service announcements (PSAs), TV documentaries,features, radio/TV panel discussions, print articles in newspapers and magazines shouldbe used to promote messages related to water conservation and RWH. They should bedesigned to coincide with significant commemoration days (World Water Day, March22 nd , World Environment Day, June 5 th , World Day to Combat Desertification, June 17 thand World Food Day October 16 th ) and should be featured in advance of the annualdry season when the public is most acutely aware of impending water scarcity. Underthe CEHI/UNEP RWH pilot project, radio PSAs and a 15-minute video documentaryhas been produced. Additional feature films and radio productions are envisaged todeliver more targeted country-specific messages.• Dissemination of technical material – In addition to the media productions, areserve of technical material should be made available to the general public forconsultation where specific information on the design and construction of RWH systemsis being sought. A Handbook and technical brochures has been developed under theCEHI/UNEP RWH pilot project which was designed to furnish users with appropriateinformation for various types of applications. The Handbook is regarded a work inprogress; as new lessons are learnt and new technologies introduced, it will be updated.The Handbook and brochures are being made available in limited copies but will beavailable in Adobe portable document format (pdf) on CEHI’s website at no cost.• School competitions – Competitive essay and art competitions to promote themessage of water conservation and RWH should be organized. These programmes canbe tied into significant commemorative events such as World Water Day (March 22 nd ),22