Transcript Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

DEVELOPMENT &
DISASTERS
(FOCUS ON WATER)
A Bahamian Perspective
Cyprian A. Gibson
Civil Engineer, M.B.A., C.ENG., M.I.C.E.
Water & Sewerage Corporation
Nassau Bahamas
OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
BACKGROUND – Caribbean & Utilities
THE BAHAMAS, WSC
NATIONAL DISASTER COMMITTE
WSC – DISASTER PLAN
CASE STUDIES
ISSUES/LESSONS LEARNT
Q&A
BACKGROUND -
THE CARIBBEAN
 General Geographic Region, Climates, etc
 Similar Histories, Governments, Infrastructure, and
Philosophies that have grown out of colonialism.
 Individually isolated, but strategically placed to tap
into the global markets of North and South America.
 People have similar socio-economic and educational
backgrounds, while yet very diverse.
 Small economies built on agriculture, light
manufacturing, tourism and banking.
THESE AFFECT PREPAREDNESS/RESPONSE
BACKGROUND -
CARIBBEAN UTILITIES
Cash Starved - Our water utilities are for the most part
cash starved, and undercapitalized, and highly reliant on
Governments – Boards, Subsidies, etc
Isolated from major suppliers (high shipping costs)
Serve similar customers, with increasing quality
expectations & Similar Levels of Training
Similar Approach to Infrastructure – Supplied from
wherever we can get it – International Lending Agencies
Diverse in Technologies, Diverse in Operations,
therefore requiring Appropriate Technology
Focus on Survival v/s Long term Planning (Capacity)
Collection, Treatment, Storage, Distribution, WW
BACKGROUND –THE
COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
ACHIPELLAGO - More than 700 Islands and Keys
- Off the Coast of the Southern U.S.
POPULATION OF 300,000
- Only 40 plus Islands with communities
- More than 80% in New Providence & Grand Bahama
TOURISM DRIVES ECONOMY - 60% of GDP
4 Million plus Visitors, Hotel Rooms
Banking/Trust is second – 400 plus
PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY
2 Major Parties, 40 Electoral Seats
WATER RESOURCES
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
Geology


Carbonate of
Holocene and
Pleistocene
age
Formed at sea
level shaped
by wind,
water and
waves in
geological
times,
Bahama
mar
Hydrogeology

Freshwater
lenses float
on seawater
Elevations


80 % within 5
feet of mean
sea level
80 % within 5
feet of mean
sea level
Water Resources of The
Bahamas
The groundwater resources of the Commonwealth comprise the
fresh, brackish, saline and hypersaline waters found in the near
and deep subsurface and in the lakes and ponds that intercept
the surface.
The freshwater resources occur as three-dimensional lens-shaped
bodies, which overlies brackish and saline waters at depth. It is
inappropriate to conceive of these Ghyben - Hertzberg lenses
as occurring in subterranean lakes, rivers or ponds.
RAIN
LOSSES TO
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
RUN OFF
TO THE SEA
SEA
RECHARGE
AERATED ROCK
GROUND W
ATER LE
VEL
FRESHWATER LENS IN
SATURATED ROCK
SEA
BRACKISH WATER
HIGHLY SALINE WATER
Diagram of a Freshwater Lens in an Oceanic Island
(Like The Bahamas)
THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION
ESTABLISHED IN 1976 – BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT –
Responsible statutory body for Water Supply and Sewerage Sector for:
Development, Management, and Protection of National Water Resources;& provision
of adequate supplies of suitable water for domestic and industry use, and the
subsequent collection, treatment and disposal thereof
STAFF OF 400, REVENUE OF $32Mn., EXPENSES $37Mn. US.
450 MILES MAINS, 6 INTERCONNECTED SITES
- New Providence
MANY SMALL AND DIVERSE SYSTEMS – Family Islands
AVERAGE WATER PRODUCTION - NASSAU (8 MIGD)
12 FAMILY ISLANDS (2 MIGD)
10 % SEWERAGE COVERAGE (90% Onsite Septic Systems)
7 Major Sewerage Facilities on New Providence only
Primary & Secondary Treatment with Deep Well Disposal
OTHER SECTOR PLAYERS
HOTELS – Primarily self served (Small R.O. & WWTP)
OTHER UTILITIES – Freeport, P. I. Utilities, NPDC
PRIVATE WELL SUPPLIES, SEPTIC TANKS
THE BAHAMAS & NATIONAL DISASTERS
THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL DISASTER ORGANIZATION
The Bahamas National Disaster Organization was established in April 1991 to replace the
National Hurricane Committee (1971) and placed under the portfolio of the Office of the
Prime Minister
It was prompted by the devastation that was caused by hurricanes Gilbert and Hugo which
highlighted the need for a national organization to assist the country in preparing for
national disasters, be they be they from man-made or natural causes.
STRUCTURE (Focus on Hurricanes)
DISASTER ADVISORY COUNCIL – Comprised of Members of Cabinet and
Chaired by the Prime Minister
DISASTER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – Comprised of Senior Officials
of Relevant Government & Emergency Services
Health, Public Works, Ports (Air/Sea) , Utilities, Police, RBDF
2 notable Private Institutions (Red Cross & Salvation Army)
Chaired by the Secretary to the Cabinet
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS OFFICE – Located in Cabinet Office, and
acting as a Secretariat with a Coordinator
STANDING EMERGENCY SUB – COMMITEES
Public Awareness, Disaster Training, Family Islands, Relief/Supplies
Emergency Communications, Shelters, Search & Rescue,
Evacuation/Transportation, Damage Assessment, Response/Recovery
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION
(FOCUS ON HURRICANES)
WSC - A TYPICAL WATER UTILITY
WELLFIELDS/SUPPLY SOURCE
TREATMENT/STORAGE TANKS
PUMPING STATIONS
DISTRIBUTION MAINS (UNDERGROUND)
SERVICE CONNECTIONS
Plus
TANKERING OPERATIONS
SEWERAGE COLLECTION, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL
MOST COMMON DISASTERS TO DATE
HURRICANES & FOREST FIRES
BAD WEATHER (BARGING)
POSSIBLE UNION TAMPERING – SHORT TERM
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION
(MITIGATION MEASURES - HURRICANES)
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS PLAN –WATER IS CRITICAL
1. INTRODUCTIONS/DEFINITIONS/WARNING SYSTEMS
2. PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SEASON
3. ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE ALERT (60 HOURS)
New Providence & Family Islands
4. ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE WATCH (36 HOURS)
5. ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE WARNING (24 HOURS)
6. ACTIONS DURING & IMMEDIATELY AFTER HURRICANE
7. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE
8. STATIONS TO BE PROTECTED
9. SCHEDULES OF STANDBY EQUIPMENT
10. SCHEDULES OF CONTACTS
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION
MITIGATION MEASURES - HURRICANES
SPECIFIC MITIGATION/PREPAREDNESS INITIAVES
MAJOR HAZZARDS – Rains, Flooding, Waves/Surges, Trees
PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SEASON
Building Checks, Standby Equipment, Inventories, Volunteers, HQ
ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE ALERTS & WATCHES (>24 HOURS)
Fill Tanks, Public Announcements,Chlorine, Bulk Meter Readings
ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE WARNING (<24 HOURS)
Water - Turn off supplies, power, secure, meter readings,
Sewerage - Pump Down Sewer Lift Stations, => SIT TIGHT
AFTERWOODS – Inspect, assess, test, repair, commission
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION
(CASE STUDY)
HURRICANE FLOYD
BACKGROUND – September of 1999, Entire Bahamas (7 Islds.)
IMPACTS (WSC) – Power Loss, Leaks, Wellfields, Storage Tanks
- Due to excessive winds, flooding, surges
TOTAL LOST
$880k
NEW PROVIDENCE
$400k
FAMILY ISLANDS
ANDROS
$200k
ABACO
$80k
ELEUTHERA
$200k
GRAND BAHAMA
seawater intrusion
CAT ISLAND
(operations disrupted)
AN SALVADOR
(operations disrupted)
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION
(CASE STUDY)
HURRICANE FLOYD – LONG TERM EFFECTS
REQUIRED CORRECTIVE/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
TOTAL
$750k
NEW PROVIDENCE
FAMILY ISLANDS
ANDROS
ABACO
ELEUTHERA
GRAND BAHAMA
SAN SALVADOR
$250k
$100k
$100k
$250k
(outside service area)
$50k
HURRICANE FLOYD
CASE STUDY – LESSONS LEARNT
Water is still critical to life!!! – Hospitals, Drinking, Washing
STANDBY POWER IS CRITICAL
SEA DAMAGE/SURGES – Water Resource, Tanks on Coast
VULNERABILITY OF OTHER STRUCTURES
(GLASS WINDOW BRIDGE, ROADS, ELECTRICITY)
FULL STORAGE TANKS, CHLORINE RESERVES
PROTECT WELLFIELDS
COMMUNICATION ARE CRITICAL (LOCAL & NATIONAL)
IMPROVED NATIONAL COORDINATION, LIST OF OFFICIALS
NEED TO IMPROVE ON WSC PLANS
EDUCATE & TRAIN CONSTANTLY – (STAFF & PUBLIC)
HURRICANES DAMAGE WEAK/ANTIQUATED WORKS
MODERNIZATION/CAPACITY BUILDING (CAPITAL WORKS)
QUESTION & ANSWERS ?
DISCUSSIONS & FEEDBACK
Cyprian A. Gibson
Civil Engineer, M.B.A., C.ENG., M.I.C.E.
Water & Sewerage Corporation
Nassau Bahamas
DEVELOPMENT &
DISASTERS
(FOCUS ON WATER UTILITIES)
A Bahamian Perspective