A programme for Promoting Rainwater Harvesting in the Caribbean

Caribbean Rainwater Harvesting Programme5. ConclusionA Regional Programme for the promotion of RWH in Caribbean States is proposed. The effortis part of a global initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme in thepromotion of RWH as a viable water supply augmentation measure. The selection ofGrenada as a pilot country in the Caribbean was made in the context of securing water supplyin a post-disaster environment given the nation’s recent experiences with Hurricanes Ivan andEmily in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Water supply problems associated with heavy demandthat peaks in the dry months is typical to many of the Caribbean islands, and with theimpending impacts of climate change on rainfall patterns, many countries including Grenadaneed to consider appropriate options in securing water supply.The broad objective of the proposed programme is to contribute to the conservation of thewater resources of the Caribbean through adoption of sustainable water management andconservation technologies. More specifically the programme seeks to develop and strengthencapacity to facilitate the implementation of rainwater harvesting for household andcommercial purpose and develop support policies and incentives and mainstream them intonational development strategies and policies. The various consultations under the UNEP/CEHIProject have pointed to four major strategic areas to be implemented locally within theprogramme:(1) Awareness building for public and policy makers;(2) Capacity building at both the individual and institutional levels;(3) Legislation and policy formulation to enhance water resource governance;(4) Infrastructure development.Also included in the programme is support to administration and monitoring of theprogramme.The four key outcomes or result areas are as follows:1. Public and policy makers’ awareness raised on RWH concepts, practices, water qualityand sanitation issues;2. Capacity strengthened amongst professionals (technical, advisory services) and otherstakeholders, for the implementation and management of RWH systems;3. Existing legal and policy instruments reviewed to develop and effect an effective legal(regulatory) and policy framework for promotion of RWH;4. Effective and efficient RWH systems established.The regional programme is proposed to run over a four-year period although this may needto be modified depending on rate of implementation and procurement of financing for coreelements such as the public awareness and governance components. The proposedprogramme costs are indicative and intended to serve as a guide to procurement of financingfor the overall programme. The overall cost of the programme is estimated at US$1,844,000.35