DEVELOPMENT &DISASTERS (FOCUS ON WATER) A Bahamian Perspective

Cyprian A. GibsonCivil Engineer, M.B.A., C.ENG., M.I.C.E.

Water & Sewerage Corporation Nassau Bahamas

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

BACKGROUND – Caribbean & UtilitiesTHE BAHAMAS, WSCNATIONAL DISASTER COMMITTEWSC – DISASTER PLANCASE STUDIESISSUES/LESSONS LEARNTQ&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, etcIsolated from major suppliers (high shipping costs)Serve similar customers, with increasing quality expectations & Similar Levels of TrainingSimilar Approach to Infrastructure – Supplied from wherever we can get it – International Lending AgenciesDiverse in Technologies, Diverse in Operations, therefore requiring Appropriate TechnologyFocus 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 BahamaTOURISM DRIVES ECONOMY - 60% of GDP

4 Million plus Visitors, Hotel RoomsBanking/Trust is second – 400 plus

PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY2 Major Parties, 40 Electoral Seats

WATER RESOURCESTHE 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 Bahama marmar

Hydrogeology Freshwater

lenses float on seawater

Elevations 80 % within 5

feet of mean sea level

80 % within 5 feet of mean sea level

RAIN

SEASEA

WATER

AERATED ROCK

HIGHLY SALINE WATER

Diagram of a Freshwater Lens in an Oceanic Island(Like The Bahamas)

BRACKISH

FRESHWATER LENS INSATURATED ROCK

LOSSES TOEVAPOTRANSPIRATION

RUN OFFTO THE SEA RECHARGE

Water Resources of The BahamasThe 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.

THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATIONESTABLISHED 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 IslandsAVERAGE WATER PRODUCTION - NASSAU (8 MIGD)

12 FAMILY ISLANDS (2 MIGD) 10 % SEWERAGE COVERAGE (90% Onsite Septic Systems)

7 Major Sewerage Facilities on New Providence onlyPrimary & Secondary Treatment with Deep Well Disposal

OTHER SECTOR PLAYERSHOTELS – Primarily self served (Small R.O. & WWTP)OTHER UTILITIES – Freeport, P. I. Utilities, NPDC

PRIVATE WELL SUPPLIES, SEPTIC TANKS

THE BAHAMAS & NATIONAL DISASTERSTHE 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 CoordinatorSTANDING EMERGENCY SUB – COMMITEES

Public Awareness, Disaster Training, Family Islands, Relief/Supplies Emergency Communications, Shelters, Search & Rescue, Evacuation/Transportation, Damage Assessment, Response/Recovery

DISASTER PREPAREDNESSTHE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION(FOCUS ON HURRICANES)

WSC - A TYPICAL WATER UTILITYWELLFIELDS/SUPPLY SOURCETREATMENT/STORAGE TANKSPUMPING STATIONSDISTRIBUTION MAINS (UNDERGROUND)SERVICE CONNECTIONS

PlusTANKERING OPERATIONSSEWERAGE COLLECTION, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL

MOST COMMON DISASTERS TO DATE

HURRICANES & FOREST FIRESBAD WEATHER (BARGING)POSSIBLE UNION TAMPERING – SHORT TERM

DISASTER PREPAREDNESSTHE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION(MITIGATION MEASURES - HURRICANES)

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS PLAN –WATER IS CRITICAL 1. INTRODUCTIONS/DEFINITIONS/WARNING SYSTEMS2. PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SEASON3. ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE ALERT (60 HOURS)

New Providence & Family Islands4. ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE WATCH (36 HOURS)5. ACTIONS FOR HURRICANE WARNING (24 HOURS)6. ACTIONS DURING & IMMEDIATELY AFTER HURRICANE7. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE8. STATIONS TO BE PROTECTED 9. SCHEDULES OF STANDBY EQUIPMENT10. SCHEDULES OF CONTACTS

DISASTER PREPAREDNESSTHE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATIONMITIGATION 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 PREPAREDNESSTHE 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 $400kFAMILY ISLANDS

ANDROS $200kABACO $80kELEUTHERA $200kGRAND BAHAMA seawater intrusionCAT ISLAND (operations disrupted)AN SALVADOR (operations disrupted)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESSTHE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION(CASE STUDY)

HURRICANE FLOYD – LONG TERM EFFECTS

REQUIRED CORRECTIVE/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

TOTAL $750kNEW PROVIDENCE $250kFAMILY ISLANDS

ANDROS $100kABACO $100kELEUTHERA $250kGRAND BAHAMA (outside service area)SAN SALVADOR $50k

HURRICANE FLOYDCASE STUDY – LESSONS LEARNT

Water is still critical to life!!! – Hospitals, Drinking, Washing

STANDBY POWER IS CRITICALSEA DAMAGE/SURGES – Water Resource, Tanks on CoastVULNERABILITY OF OTHER STRUCTURES

(GLASS WINDOW BRIDGE, ROADS, ELECTRICITY)FULL STORAGE TANKS, CHLORINE RESERVESPROTECT WELLFIELDSCOMMUNICATION ARE CRITICAL (LOCAL & NATIONAL)IMPROVED NATIONAL COORDINATION, LIST OF OFFICIALSNEED TO IMPROVE ON WSC PLANSEDUCATE & TRAIN CONSTANTLY – (STAFF & PUBLIC)HURRICANES DAMAGE WEAK/ANTIQUATED WORKSMODERNIZATION/CAPACITY BUILDING (CAPITAL WORKS)

QUESTION & ANSWERS ?

Cyprian A. GibsonCivil Engineer, M.B.A., C.ENG., M.I.C.E.Water & Sewerage Corporation Nassau Bahamas

DEVELOPMENT &DISASTERS (FOCUS ON WATER UTILITIES) A Bahamian Perspective

DISCUSSIONS & FEEDBACK