Water Security and Climate Change in Saint Lucia
A Collective Responsibility for a Resilient Water Future
Section 1: Understanding Saint Lucia’s Water Management System
- The Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA) is responsible for managing and protecting Saint Lucia's water resources.
- Saint Lucia relies solely on rainfall for its entire water supply, utilizing rivers, streams, and springs as the primary sources.
- The WRMA issues licenses to entities seeking to extract water from Saint Lucia's water sources. Official abstractors, authorized to access water from these natural resources, include:
Saint Lucia faces challenges due to unauthorized water extraction from its sources, affecting water availability for WASCO and its customers.
Section 2: The Impact of Climate Change on Saint Lucia’s Water Supply
- Longer Dry Periods: leads to droughts, impacting water availability.
- More intense rainfall/storms cause floods, increasing sediment in rivers and reservoirs, which complicates water treatment.
Section 3: WASCO’s Role in Water Management
- Collecting/abstracting water from the various water sources to supply Saint Lucians with potable water.
- WASCO has enabled a more consistent water supply for distribution to the public through the establishment of water collection and storage infrastructure, including the John Compton Dam and other reservoirs and abstraction points across the country.
- Treating it to meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
- Distributing water to customers.
Section 4: WASCO’s Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives
- Resilient Infrastructure: Strengthening water supply systems to withstand climate impacts.
- Water Conservation: Promoting efficient water use and repairing leaks promptly.
- Diverse Water Sources: Exploring new methods to reduce dependence on rain-fed water supply.
- Public Education: Partnering with the Government to educate on water-saving technologies and offer leak detection programs.
- Sustainability: Embracing renewable energy to operate efficiently.
Section 5: Collective Responsibility: How Citizens can contribute:
- Maintaining 3 days of water storage at home.
- Installing rainwater harvesting systems.
- Reporting leaks and avoiding unauthorized water extraction.
- Practicing water conservation daily:
- Fix household leaks.
- Use buckets instead of hoses.
- Take shorter showers.
- Install water-saving devices.
Section 6: Importance of Action
Why does this matter?
By conserving water, we can:
- Ensure reliable water access for everyone, even in times of drought.
- Protect public health by maintaining clean water for all.
- Save money through reduced water bills and better efficiency.
- Strengthen communities against climate change by building resilience.
Section 7: Let’s Work Together for a Resilient Water Future
Water security is everyone’s responsibility. By working hand in hand, we can ensure a sustainable water future for Saint Lucia.
FAQs Section
- What is the main source of water in Saint Lucia?
Saint Lucia’s water supply comes entirely from rainfall, collected from rivers, streams, and springs.
- How does climate change affect our water supply?
Climate change leads to longer droughts and more intense storms, both of which disrupt the water collection and distribution process.
- What is WASCO doing to adapt to climate change?
WASCO is investing in resilient infrastructure, improving water conservation practices, and diversifying water sources to ensure water security.
- How can I contribute to water conservation?
You can install rainwater harvesting systems, fix leaks, use water-saving devices, and report unauthorized water extraction.
- Why should I care about conserving water?
Conserving water ensures reliable access for everyone, reduces water bills, and protects our communities against climate change impacts.
- What should I do if I notice a leak or water wastage?
Report it immediately to WASCO, and repair any minor leaks at home to prevent water loss.
- Who Can I call if I have no water and need an update?
- Can I extract water from rivers or streams near my property?
Only licensed abstractors, such as WASCO or authorized farmers, are allowed to extract water. Unauthorized extraction disrupts the national water supply.
