Water Focus

Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation WATER INSIDE THIS ISSUE ➢ Branch Activities PG. 2-3 The National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan 2019 ➢ World Water Day 2020 PG. 4 ➢ Agency Spotlight PG. 5-7 Rural Water Supply Limited Water Resources Authority National Water Commission (NWC) ➢ Water Facts PG. 8

The National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan 2019 The Water Policy and Monitoring Branch is responsible for The measures outlined in the Policy include: monitoring the implementation of the National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan; the review and recommendation for amendments to water sector legislation; the monitoring of capital projects and programmes in the areas of water supply and sewerage services; as well as the monitoring of all water related issues that comes into the Ministry, and the preparation of all responses. The following outlines some of the key achievements of the Branch for the 19/20 Financial Year. The National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan One of the main tenets of the Policy is the (2019) was tabled as a White Paper in the Houses of establishment of the Integrated Water Resources Parliament in July 2019. The Policy aims to guide the Management Council (IWRMC). provision of universal access to safe, potable water to all Jamaicans by 2030. The goal of the Policy is “to ensure that Approval was received from Cabinet for the Jamaica’s water resources are effectively managed so as to formation of the IWRMC and the appointment of provide for our nation’s social, economic, and the members. Preliminary meetings of the Council environmental well-being, now and in the future”. were convened in January 2020, and November & December 2019. The six (6) main principles guiding the Policy are: 1. Sustainability and Intergenerational Equity; Additionally, the Drought Management 2. Efficiency; Committee (DMC) was established as a sub- 3. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM); committee of the Integrated Water Resources 4. Universal Access; Management Council. 5. Responsiveness to Gender and Vulnerable Groups; and 6. Stakeholder Participation. 2

Other Branch Activities Mapping of Water Supply Systems (WSS) The Branch embarked on a programme to develop a comprehensive mapping of all the WSS islandwide in partnership with the National Spatial Data Management Branch. The mapping is far advanced with several maps already being completed. This initiative will facilitate the timely manipulation of data, quick access to the location of the WSS, watersheds and NIC wells, the overlaying of maps, among others. This will auger well for the management of the island’s water resources, as the Government seeks to provide 100% access to water by 2030. The Water Policy and Monitoring Branch and the NSDMB are currently working on an MOU for the management of the information. Water IQ Initiative (WIQI) The WIQI, initiated by the former Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Water, is a conservation campaign aimed at raising awareness in schools about the importance of proper water management to cope with scarcity and ensure sustainability. The WIQI commenced in October 2019 and has been implemented at the Enid Bennett High, Rock Hall Primary, Essex Hall Primary and Lawrence Tavern Primary Schools. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with other Ministries and water related Agencies. Students were inducted as Water Monitors on October 8, 2019 at the Enid Bennett High School. 3

“Play your 4. Part, BeWater Smart”. World Water Day 2020 Climate change risks for Jamaica include The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation changing rainfall levels and patterns, celebrated World Water Day 2020 under the theme increasing temperatures, sea level rise, and “Water and Climate Change”. As a result of the COVID- more intense and frequent hurricanes and 19 pandemic celebratory plans were halted. The droughts. Ministry however recognized the day with a Through the National Water Sector Policy supplement in the Jamaica Observer on March 22. and Implementation Plan (2019), the GOJ will raise awareness of water and climate \"WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE\" change issues, and ensure that climate change considerations are mainstreamed Climate delay is almost as dangerous as climate denial. into water resources management and Every country in the world must work more quickly. decision making processes, to enhance Extreme weather events are making water scarcer, more capacities, and to build resilience in the unpredictable, more polluted or all three. Humans need sector. water to survive, as do all the systems we rely on sanitation, healthcare, education, business, and industry. Action plans to tackle climate change need to be integrated across different sectors and coordinated across borders and they must have one thing in common: safe and sustainable water management (UN Water Policy). Jamaica’s water sector is susceptible to multiple risks associated with climate change and climate variability. 4

AGENCY SPOTLIGHT Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) RURAL WATER SUPPLY LTD. Programme in Schools Thirty-eight (38) projects were proposed to be The Rural Water Supply Ltd. is primarily involved undertaken during the year under the RWH in the designing, planning and implementation of programmes in schools. Completed projects potable water infrastructures. The company is include: mandated to improve access to potable water supply to the population through a variety of supply modalities at an affordable cost. Twenty-six (26) projects were proposed for the year (2019/2020) to benefit approximately 56,000 persons across all parishes by providing piped water supply and service connections to their homes and eighteen (18) projects have been completed. The completed projects under the Comprehensive Rural Water Upgrading and Repairs Programme (CRWUP) include: 1. St. Mary Platfield Phase 1, 2 & 3 2. St. Mary Platfield Loading Bay 3. St. Andrew Golden Hill 4. St. Catherine Ham Walk/ Riversdale 5. St. Catherine Sligoville Pipeline Extension 6. Manchester Peart Spring 7. Manchester Ticki Ticki 8. St. Elizabeth Burnt Ground 9. St. Mary Pear Tree Grove 10. St. James Hurlock 11. St. James Plum Catchment Tank/ Rainwater Harvesting Programme Several projects were undertaken during the year under the Catchment Tank programme. Completed projects include: Across several communities 5

AGENCY SPOTLIGHT Cont. WATER RESOURCES AUTHORITY The Water Resources Authority is responsible for the management, protection, and controlled allocation and use of Jamaica’s surface and underground water resources. Here are some highlights of the agency’s achievements for the 2019/2020 FY. 1. Upgraded Flood Early Warning System for Rio Cobre Rio Cobre Watershed Jamaica. The WRA implemented the Rio Cobre Flood Early Warning System in the fiscal year. The system allows for reliable reporting, analysis and warning of flood levels for Residents and users of the Bog Walk Gorge/Flat Bridge Juncture. The project was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). 2. Water Abstraction Charges (Volume Based Fees) The WRA in keeping with the Water Resources (Water Abstraction Charges) Regulations, 2017 continued the implementation of the volume based fees during the year. During the year approximately $57.7M was collected. 3. Hydromet Network Groundwater Monitoring Manage Artificial Recharge The WRA continued to improve the surface and ground water monitoring network (Hydromet Network) with the installation of eight (8) new gauging stations and the retrofitting of forty- four (44) existing stations which allows for improved data capture that will enhance analysis and recommendations in making Jamaica more resilient to Climate Change Impacts. 4. Manage Artificial Recharge The Manage Artificial Recharge is being done to secure water supply for St Catherine and the KMA. Under this programme the WRA is looking to improve water quality in the Rio Cobre Hydrologic Basin. The system will also store excess runoffs from the Rio Cobre to augment supply during drought. 6

AGENCY SPOTLIGHT Cont. NATIONAL WATER COMMISSION T(NheWNCW)C currently produces more than 90% of Jamaica’s total potable water supply, supplying 190 million gallons of potable water each day to its more than 400,000 registered accounts representing about 2 million persons across Jamaica. For the 2019/2020 FY the NWC saw achievements in some key areas. 1. Under the US$42.5M five (5) year Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA) Non-revenue Reduction Programme, non-revenue water levels in KSA has been reduced from just over 60% to 35%, to date. The target is to reduce this to 30% by September 2020. The amount of water that the NWC is now billing for in KSA has increased from 84,000m3/d to 92,000m3/day. Correspondingly the losses in network has reduced by 40,000m3/day moving from 117,000m3/day to 77,000m3/day. 2. The NWC commenced the rehabilitation of Greater Portmore Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Catherine which serves the communities of Greater Portmore, Braeton, Portmore Pines, West Cumberland, Cedar Grove and Christian Pen. The project valued at JM$673M will result in an improved and upgraded wastewater treatment plant that will alleviate the current environmental problems and also manage the current and future sewage load in the area. The project is 25% completed to date and scheduled for completion in July 2020. 3. The NWC implemented the Essex Valley Water Supply System during the year to improve the water supply to sections of south-eastern St. Elizabeth valued at JM$102m and the system was commissioned in October 2019. Approximately 10,405 persons have benefited from this system. 7

WATER FACTS THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ARE FIRST FELT ➢There is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. The THROUGH WATER- water from your faucet could contain molecules THROUGH DROUGHTS, that dinosaurs drank. FLOODS OR STORMS?” ➢Only 1% of the world's water is available for all of humanity's needs - this includes, agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community, and personal needs. Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in icecaps and glaciers. ➢Water is part of a deeply interconnected system. What we pour on the ground ends up in our water, and what we spew into the sky ends up in our water. What are water sources? Water sources are the points from which your water comes. These include rivers, springs, ponds and wells. Water that comes from rivers, springs and ponds is called surface water. Water that runs underground and is tapped by a well is called groundwater. Most of Jamaica’s water is underground. How does water get into your tap: ➢Water is pumped from a well or diverted from a river or spring. ➢This water runs through pipelines to a treatment plant where the water is made safe for drinking. ➢The treated water then is transferred by pipelines to our homes and taps. ➢In most cases the water may first be sent to a storage tank before getting to our taps. 8

WATER POLICY & MONITORING Branch Left to right Ms. Talia Gibson – Senior Director, Water Policy & Monitoring (Actg.) Mr. Joel Mair – Intern Ms. Danielle Osbourne – Monitoring Officer (Actg.) Ms. Tieki Guy, Administrator (Actg.) Ms. Andrea Spencer – Director, Water Policy Ms. Keisha Tyrell – Senior Monitoring Officer Mr. Rohan DaCosta – Director, Water Monitoring (Actg.) 9

MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION PREPARED BY: PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATION BRANCH June 2020 #One Team, One MEGJC 10