Basil Fernandez Managing Director Water Resources Authority

Strategies for Aquifer Management Strong hydrologic institution Legislation empowering institution Determining spatial management units Identification/Mapping of aquifers Monitoring and analysis of GW Data Assessment of unused reliable yield by spatial unit Allocation mechanisms-permits and licences Permit/Licence conditions 2Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Water Resources Authority (WRA-Act) 3 The WRA -created on April 7, 1996 by the promulgation of the Water Resources ACT 1995 Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Background to the Act 4 1 Trends in increasing water demand pollution threats from floods and droughts 2Need for cohesive policy framework to guide planning and rational development 3 Need for unified approach to management Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Mandate of WRA Act To regulate, allocate, conserve, and otherwise manage the water resources of Jamaica This is achieved by Obtaining, compiling, storing and disseminating data on water resources Exercise planning-Master Plan Control of water quality Allocating water equitably 5Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

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Legislation-Abstraction and Use of Water/Control of Well Drilling Part III Sections 17 to 25 of the Water Resources Act 1995 sets out the requirements for a licence to abstract and use water Both surface and ground water subject to licence Part IV sections 34 to 37 of the Water Resources Act 1995 sets out the need for a permit to drill or alter a well. 7Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

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Hydrostratigraphy Hydrostratigraphy determines the water type Volcanics and dirty limestones are aquicludes-primary water type is surface water White (pure) limestone and alluvium are aquifers-primary water type is groundwater. 9Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Well Locations - Jamaica Primary supply is from ground water sourced from limestone aquifers-western two thirds of the island 10Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Rivers of Jamaica Eastern one third of the island has an abundance of surface water resources i.e. rivers and streams. 11Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Groundwater Monitoring 12 Total-282: Limestone Aquifer-191: Alluvium aquifer-91 Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Surface Water monitoring 13 Total monitoring points-117—R-52 (Loggers-27); NR-43; Spot-22 Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

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Allocation Priority Public water supply (including for tourism) to maintain health and sanitation Environmental flow and Recreational/Scenic Agriculture Industry All allocation must be within the unused reliable yield of the Hydrologic Basin as shown in table above 16Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Allocation Guidelines These are listed in the Fourth Schedule of the Water Resources Regulations These include the following: Provisions of the Water Resources Master Plan Recommendations or representation by any GoJ agency exercising functions in relation to water Satisfaction of public water supply demands 17Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Allocation Guidelines--2 The requirements and financial and technical capabilities of the applicant The requirements of other water users The safe guarding of public health and the environment The requirements of in-stream uses of water The requirement of land drainage 18Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Permit to Drill Application on relevant form with supporting documents as required and fee Permit, if granted, gives applicant 1 year to complete well construction Permit allows for construction to design, yield and water quality test—no more All data submitted in support of application for licence to abstract and use water 19Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Licence to Abstract and Use Water Required for both ground and surface waters A fixed daily volume is allocated and is based on the justification of request, analysis of pumping test and river flows, availability of water, impact on aquifer and existing users. Licence is valid for 5 years with renewal providing all conditions are met. Post permit/licence monitoring done by WRA technicians 20Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Conditions on Licence Surface Water Abstraction may be varied between wet and dry season depending on flows but within unused reliable yield of Basin Meter to record abstraction with monthly submission of data Water quality to be submitted for wet and dry seasons by licensee for selected parameters based on use of water. 21Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Conditions on Licence Groundwater Access for water levels compulsory Meter for recording abstraction compulsory No below sea level pumping allowed -- to prevent saline intrusion Maximum chloride concentration limit set Water quality to be submitted for wet and dry seasons by licensee for selected parameters 22Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

Advantages/Disadvantages of Allocation Process The allocation of water in keeping with Section 19 of the Water Resources Act 1995 and the guidelines provides a greater degree of control over abstraction and facilitates a response to emergency situations and severe droughts. The disadvantage of the present allocation process is that water is not necessarily allocated to the highest valued uses and most efficient user. 23Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean

THE END QUESTIONS? 24Coastal Aquifer Management in the Caribbean