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Herbert ThomasHerbert Thomas

Jamaica Institute of EngineersCaribbean Infrastructure Conference

September 21-22, 2011

“Developing Sustainable Infrastructure”

“Exploring the State Of Development of Water Resources Management in

Jamaica"

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Jamaica’s Water Problems, Can we solve it?

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To increase awareness of: The current Water Resources Status;

supply development Challenges and Opportunities

IWRM approach to sustainable water resource management and development

Current IWRM status Gaps affecting implementation Way forward

Aim of Presentation

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Current water resources status(National outlook)

The exploitable potential about 1100 times Mona reservoir’s capacity

The nationally exploitable water resources is sufficient to meet the current total demand of 1813 MCM/y (includes environmental demands) and the estimated demands for year 2025 of 1294 MCM/y

The surplus is more than 50% of the exploitable potential.

Over allocation of the resource for sector needs approx 290 MCM

Based on the above there should be no water shortage or scarcity.

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ExploitablePotential

Demand Allocated

Environmental demand

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Current water resources status(Basin/WMU outlook)

southern demands exceed that of the northern basins

water shortage problem in the Kingston Basin

shortage in the Rio Cobre Basin by 2025 given demand.

Inter basin transfer between southern basins only redistribute the scarcity in the long run

exploitable surplus greater on the northern side. Those mainly groundwater fed rivers reliably yield approx 900 MCM

This could augment supplies in the south to meet all current and future demands.

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The supply development Challenges

Topographic constraints; North-south basin transfer

affected by E-W mountain ridges.

Hydrogeologic constraints; groundwater aquifers cover 66% of island and hence high energy dependence for water supply development.

Energy Costs Constraints increasing energy cost over last 3

decades, 25% increase in oil price last year.

Climate Change Impacts reduction in quantity and quality of

exploitable potential due to reduced rainfall and sea level rise with increased total demands due to temperature/evaporation increase.

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Opportunities

The reliable surface flows in the north exceeds the national demands and requiring little storage.

There is hydropower potential from surface water sources to support reduced energy cost.

Inclusion of improved land zoning to minimize

energy requirement be made into policy.

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……Ad-Hoc Crisis Management won’t solve it.

….. IWRM Approach Will

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Integrated Water Resources Management

IWRM is a means of achieving three key strategic objectives:

Equity in the allocation- reduce conflict- promote sustainable

development.

Efficiency, given scarcity of resources- important to maximise the economic and social benefits

Environmental sustainability- water resources base and ecosystems

are not infinitely robust - should not be put at risk

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Integrated Water Resources Management Concept

IntegratedWRM

1. -Fresh water is finite, vulnerable, essential to life, development and environment

2. -Participatory approach at all levels

3. -Central role of women4. Water as an economic goodDublin Statement (1992)

“IWRM is the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximise economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems and the environment” (Global Water Partnership, 2000).

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IWRM Framework

A. The Enabling Environment A3 Financing And Incentive

Structures

A2 Legislative Framework

A1 Policies

B. Institutional Role B2 Building Institutional Capacity

B1 Creating organizational framework

http://www.gwptoolbox.org

A set of “tools” organised under 3 fundamental elements:

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IWRM Framework

C1 WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT

C2 PLANS FOR IWRM

C3 EFFICIENCY IN WATER USE

C4 SOCIAL CHANGE INSTRUMENT

C5 CONFLICT RESOLUTION

C6 REGULATORY INSTRUMENT

C7 ECONOMIC INSTRUMENT

C8 INFORMATION EXCHANGE

C9 ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS

C. Management Instruments

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What is the current IWRM Status?

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Enabling Environment

Source: Report; Cooperative Strengthening of National Institutions to enhance Integrated Water Resources Management, NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP, JAMAICA – MARCH 12, 2002

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INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

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Management Instrument

C5,C6 C1,C3 C4,C7

C8

C2

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IWRM APPROACH

– flood water control– abstraction, storage

and treatment,– conveyance and

distribution– sanitation, – reuse, recycling and

disposal.

– policy– plan– legal environment,– robust institutions– stakeholder participation.

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Gaps Largest obstacle to IWRM

adoption is the lack of the institutional structure to facilitate coordination

Policy/legislation revision to ensure land/water developments compatible with IWRM.

Inadequate investment in development aspect of IWRM (hard infrastructure)

“IWRM is the coordinated development and management of water, land and related

resources in order to maximise economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems and the

environment”

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The Way Forward Fast tract establishment of

Apex Body for IWRM coordination

Review/Upgrade V2030 water sector roadmap (ensure theory of change identifiable)

Assess/invest in appropriate water infrastructure (if we are to manage climate variability in time and space and to adapt to climate change).

V2030 Water Sector Plan

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END

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22Source: ‘Domestic Water Supply & Energy Cost the National Perspective’ Lewis A. Lakeman, Billy Meikle NWC 24 -25, 2010, power point presentation at IWRM Symposium