A programme for Promoting Rainwater Harvesting in the Caribbean

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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
Caribbean Rainwater Harvesting ProgrammeWorld Environment Day (June 5 th ), World Day to Combat Desertification (June 17 th )and World Food Day (October 16 th ).• Creation of a RWH website – A RWH resources website with focus on applicationto the Caribbean region should be developed. It is proposed that this site be hosted onCEHI’s server and linked to UNEP’s website that features other global RWH initiatives.Other links to regional partners in the water resources sector such as the CaribbeanWater and Wastewater Association (CWWA) and the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) will be carried on the website. Other Caribbean web resourcesinclude the CARICOM Caribbean Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the CaribbeanAgricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Inter-AmericanInstitute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).• Public/stakeholder assessments on level of awareness pre- and postprogramme– Essential to any public outreach campaign is the systematic assessmentof impact. Targeted communities should be polled periodically to determine theextent to which they may have adopted RWH practices as a result of the publiceducation initiatives. The ministries responsible for health, environment and wateralong with water utility companies could partner in this regard.4.3.1.3. Key indicators• Percentage participation (in relation to number invited) in awareness seminars;• Number of development applications to the Planning (Town and Country) Ministries(households, commercial enterprises) that include provisions for RWH systems;• Number of times television, radio features and PSAs are broadcast via local media;• Number of handbooks and brochures disseminated; both in print and downloads ofelectronic versions;• Number of schools and students participating in RWH (water conservation) awarenessprogrammes;• Existence of a dedicated RWH resources website (number of hits on the web-site,number question and answer submissions and traffic on discussion board may beconsidered as other indicators);• Survey results (reflective of heightened awareness).4.3.1.4. Key resultsPublic and policy makers’ awareness raised on RWH concepts, practices, waterquality and sanitation issues23
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A programme for Promoting Rainwater Harvesting in the Caribbean

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