Water Use in the Tourism Industry During Drought Workshop on Climate Change and Water Use Efficiency in the Tourist Industry 25 th February, 2009 Palm Haven, Saint Lucia Presented by A. L. Dawn French Director – National Emergency Management Organisation of Saint Lucia

CLIMATE CHANGE A New Challenge ! More Extreme Weather Phenomena ?? Hurricanes Tsunamis

CLIMATE CHANGE A New Challenge ! Extreme Heat Events?? Drought?? More Extreme Weather Phenomena ??

Drought is a relative term and is most often a consequence of rainfall deficiency, resulting in a lack of water for some activity or group. Drought may however, be considered under three definitions (Kumar V. and Panu U. 1997; White D.H. 1998): Agricultural – reduction in available water at critical times, for crop or pasture production; Meteorological – lack of rainfall; and Hydrological – reduction in available water from the surface (streams, dams and rivers) and sub-surface (groundwater) Definition of Drought

HazardHazard: sub category Risk rating Controls currently in place Severe Weather Drought High 1.Draft Water Management Plan for Drought Conditions 2.Water Companies Contingency Plans Saint Lucia National Risk Register – Disaster Preparedness and Response Act No. 13 of 2000 PART II – 4. (2) (c) gather timely and authoritative information concerning the conditions and trends in the quality of the environment, both current and prospective, as these relate to the likelihood of disasters in Saint Lucia;

Saint Lucia National Climate Change Risk Register – 2008 Anticipated impacts on Tourism: * Loss of attractiveness of the region as a destination. * Direct damage to tourism plant and natural resources [e.g. coral reefs, beaches, forests etc.] = loss of attractiveness of the region as a destination. * Hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase evaporation and generally worsen the severity of fires and increase the risk of forest fires.

Saint Lucia National Climate Change Risk Register – 2008 Anticipated impacts on Tourism: * Further deterioration of local and regional food security. * Forestry tours in the tourism sector could decline as trees are lost. * Loss of employment in the industry * Labour Effects: staff slow down, low occupancy rates, absenteeism

LOCAL EXPERIENCE From January 2001 and continuing throughout the dry season, Saint Lucia experienced extremely dry conditions. On 28th May 2001 the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia addressed the Nation as the Drought deepened and the Water Company implemented very strict water allocation schedules.

Drought Response Actions Implementation of Mandatory Restrictions Water & Sewage Act No. 14 of 2005 Division 3 Emergencies Section 10-1 Where on the advice of the agency the Minister is satisfied that by reason of an exceptional shortage of rain, or contamination of water, a serious deficiency of supplies of water exists or is threatened, the Minister shall forthwith, by Order published in the Gazette, in at least two newspapers in the general weekly circulation in Saint Lucia and by any other media declare a water-related emergency …

Drought Response Actions Declaration of a Water Deficiency Disaster The Prime Minister is empowered to declare an Emergency/Disaster by executive order. If ordered, WASCO may adopt and enforce emergency water conservation restrictions that limit lawn sprinkling, vehicle washing, golf course and park irrigation, and other nonessential uses. The Managing Director will recommend to the Prime Minister when a critical Water Deficiency Emergency should be declared. A Water Deficiency Emergency may be imposed Island wide or on a geographic or sector basis based on the extent of deficient hydrologic conditions.

Drought Response Actions 1. NORMAL CONDITIONS: Agricultural, Hospitality & Other Private Sector Groups ·* Develop emergency water management plans. ·* Evaluate water use and install water saving devices, etc., to reduce stress on supply source. ·* Consider ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ ·* Monitor water sources and daily water use ·* Anticipate demand.

Drought Response Actions 2. DROUGHT WATCH: Agricultural, Hospitality & Other Private Sector Groups Actors review roles on Company’s Emergency Water Management Plan Monitor water sources Anticipate or forecast the water demand. Plan daily water use; may mean water is used only for specific purposes and rationed to rooms etc. as guided by the Plan.

Drought Response Actions 3. DROUGHT WARNING: Agricultural, Hospitality & Other Private Sector Groups * Activate Company’s Emergency Water Management Plan. * Comply with water restriction notices * Continue conservation of domestic supplies. * Notify Task Force of source conflicts. * Notify WASCO of progress and conflicts.

Drought Response Actions 4. RESTRICTION PHASE: Agricultural, Hospitality & Other Private Sector Groups * Continue Implementation of Company’s Emergency Water Management Plan. May mean: - Restricting the number of guests accepted for check-in; - Importing Water; - The purchase of small water desalination plants or the activation of MOU’s with Agencies owing such units for temporary use; * Comply with water restriction notices * Same responses as in Conservation Phase. * Follow WASCO allocation restrictions on irrigation. * Notify WASCO of progress and conflicts.

Drought Response Actions 5. EMERGENCY PHASE: Agricultural, Hospitality & Other Private Sector Groups * Implement company emergency water management plan. * Comply with Prime Minister’s Emergency Declarations * Comply with water restriction notices * Request assistance in obtaining water for domestic purposes… * Implement hauling water, etc., in cooperation with National Supply Management Committee Orders

Recommendations Develop an Emergency Water Management Plan Bench mark strategies used in Countries such as TCI, BVI, etc. which deal with acute water shortages regularly. Harvest Rain water Recycle Water Establish a target: ‘To be as self sufficient as is possible regarding water as a resource’.