St Lucia - UNDPCC.org

Saint Lucia: Issues Paper on Climate Change Adaptation & the Water Sector April 20095. Undertake reforestation and other measures to increase the resilience ofwatersheds and catchments to maximize water availability and to reduce soil erosionand sedimentation.6. Assess and address needs for water storage and distribution infrastructure toensure water availability during drought periods.7. Promote initiatives to identify and, where necessary, exploit non-traditionalwater sources such as groundwater.3.1 Additional Considerations : - Adaptation MeasuresBeyond the areas highlighted by Government in the Climate Change Policy andAdaptation Plan the following needs to be considered:1. The Water Sector Reform process when concluded this year will result in a newcompany to manage the provision of services to the sector as well as regulatoryenvironment. This is critical as investments under this program are key to the watersecurity of the country and by extension result in a reduced vulnerability of thesector.2. Map areas susceptible to saline intrusions and develop alternative sources of watersupply. Also explore the use of desalination techniques for saline tainted watersource.3. It is important not only to consider supplying water demand from conventionalsources such as rivers but also look at alternatives to these sources. The following aresources that can be used to augment the supply to facilitate long term, sustainabilityof the water resources.• Wastewater Reuse : - Waste water can be reused depending on its origin and thepurpose for which it is required. Domestic wastewater is perhaps a better choiceof wastewater over industrial wastewater but of course this depends on the natureof the industry. Domestic wastewater for example can be used for irrigation ofgolf courses in the hotel sector. Hotels tend to consume a significant amount offresh water at the expense of local consumers. This option can allow a reductionin the potable water demand of hotels.• Storm Water Collection & Use : - This is an option that is worth looking into inmore detail. It is evident in Saint Lucia that a significant amount of water is wastedand simply flows into the sea during and after periods of rainfall. If this water iscollected and treated it could be used for normal consumption.• Ground Water : - Due to the general impervious nature of the volcanic bedrockvery little water that fall as precipitation is stored as ground water. As indicatedpreviously the reserves are inadequate for major consumptive purposes. HoweverPage | 8