The Plain View Combined School in La Ressource Vieux Fort will be the beneficiary of a 20,000-gallon Rain Water Harvesting System (RWH) in order to meet the non-potable water needs of staff and students. A consistent supply of water from the water utility (WASCO) has always been a challenge for the school, not to mention residents and businesses in the South of the island. Water stress situations are most acute in the dry season.

The Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA) is the Ministry’s representative for the installation of the tanks. This intervention forms part of component 2 of a European Union “Intra-ACP GCCA+ programme in the Caribbean: Enhancing climate resilience in CARIFORUM countries”. The executing agencies are the OECS Commission and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5C’s). The Ministry of Education provided guidance on engagement with the school as well as a technical specifications on roof catchment design.

Groundbreaking works should begin towards the end of September 2022. Apart from the tanks, a solar pump house will also be installed. Although it was mentioned that the water would be used for non-potable uses, it would be made as portable as possible. Filters will be added to the system as well as training for staff to apply chlorine on a regular basis.

Note that this project not only speaks to mitigation and adaptation measures but contributes to the disaster risk reduction strategy for the community since the school serves as a community resource center, especially during times of natural disasters.  The RWHS at the school would enhance community resiliency via the provision of emergency water supply during and immediately post-disasters.