Building Water Resilience in Grenada: From Vulnerability to Vision

00:00:08: Imagine turning your tap on and nothing comes out.

00:00:12: No water for drinking or cooking, even cleaning!

00:00:15: For the islands in the Caribbean this isn't just a scenario.

00:00:19: it's increasingly becoming reality.

00:00:21: Extreme weather events such as Hurricane Beryl in twenty-twenty four are hitting more often and harder putting critical water infrastructure under serious strain.

00:00:31: Damage pipelines and storage tanks as well as dry spells that leave communities scrambling for every drop of surface water are just a few challenges these islands face.

00:00:41: In Grenada, the National Water and Sewage Authority or NAWASA is working to make sure communities still have safe and reliable water especially in the phase of climate change.

00:00:53: My name is Ankatin Shlenfugl.

00:00:54: today I'm joined by Wim Cox, Manager of Planning & Development And Ronald Lane, Assistant Manager of planning and development at NAWESA to talk about how Grenada is facing this new reality and what it takes to keep the tabs flowing.

00:01:09: But before we dive in, let me hand over my co-host for today's episode – Janiel Ruben McWire!

00:01:15: Janiel is a communications advisor of G-Cruise Project for the German Development Corporation, GIC, in Grenada And she will guide us through todays conversation with our two experts.

00:01:26: With that said, Janiel….

00:01:27: Over To You.

00:01:29: Thanks Anne-Catherine, glad to be here.

00:01:31: Let's start with a basic question When people in Grenada turn on their tap today.

00:01:36: what system is working behind the scenes to make that possible?

00:01:40: We'll take a look now at resilience.

00:01:42: What does resilience looks like?

00:01:45: I ask Wimcox when we talk about a more climate resilient water sector... ...what does it actually mean Wim?

00:01:53: Alright thanks Janiel and thanks for having us.

00:01:58: As it pertains to your question, what does resiliency looks like?

00:02:02: Putting in short let's say water is planned produced protected and delivered.

00:02:10: In the long context means preparation for longer dry periods a more variable rainfall.

00:02:19: we have seen stronger storms forming in the Atlantic area.

00:02:29: Our infrastructure relates to our intake systems, how we look at water treatment storage and all of the infrastructure as it relates to getting water on a water supply.

00:02:44: Two persons in addition.

00:02:47: today It has to be combined with policy reform To better deal With How We Upgrade Our Infrastructure and how we monitor water, and how can solve the water.

00:03:03: So that in our opinion...in a nutshell is what resilience or resiliency should look like in the Grenada context.

00:03:15: Okay so based on what's going already within Grenada you would say that resiliency does exist?

00:03:23: Definitely!

00:03:24: We have been preparing to make ourselves more and more Resilient.

00:03:29: All of the assessment that has been undertaken here in Grenada, has shown that Grenada is very highly vulnerable to impacts climate change and this primarily so because ninety-five percent of all water supply is surface water.

00:03:52: it comes from rivers and dams etc.

00:03:58: vulnerable.

00:03:59: When it rains, rivers get turbid you cannot produce water when in the dry season the water table goes low and you do not have enough water to supply the nation.

00:04:15: so understanding and appreciating that year-in-year out decade in decade out we've been constantly improving the infrastructure looking at different ways of ensuring that we can be resilient against these impacts based on our vulnerable.

00:04:38: Ronald?

00:04:40: Sure, so to add what Cox just said resilience is base on data not guesswork.

00:04:46: So by saying that We talk about you ask What are we looking for or what do look forward today ?

00:04:52: We're talking about the resilience in which we have visibility now to check our systems like the use of automated automation, right?

00:05:03: Where that we can now monitor our flows and pressures.

00:05:07: So let's just add to what Coxie had mentioned before about monitoring.

00:05:12: it shows us a more holistic view on how we look at the monitoring part of resilience but also looking forward in moving.

00:05:23: Okay so based NOASA has done quite a lot in improving its system and it's service overall.

00:05:32: So now that we've covered what resilience looks like, but whats really changing the game?

00:05:38: And this is where The Climate Resilient Water Sector and Grenada G-Cruise project comes into helping Grenadas water systems move from being reactive to much more proactive.

00:05:50: Now, the GCRU's project is funded by the German Development Cooperation GIZ on behalf of the International Climate Initiative IKI – The Green Climate Fund and the Government Of Grenada.

00:06:01: The projects' objective is to increase climate resilience in the water sector on the island throughout a holistic approach that involves public-and private-sector organisations—and citizens!

00:06:14: So now as we look at some intervention methods….

00:06:17: I would ask from Nawasa's perspective, how exactly has Jikooz changed the trajectory of Grenada's water system or what a sector?

00:06:27: Wim.

00:06:28: The intervention at the Jikook project has impacted us majorly.

00:06:34: we are ever so grateful to all of the players.

00:06:37: as you mentioned GSL, Green Climate Fund is our main sponsor and also the government of Grenada but I'll allow Ronald to start the ball rolling on this one and then i would come in with any additional things.

00:06:56: So basically, I have categorized it in my head into three parts right?

00:07:00: Jikoo's program has now as a three major areas.

00:07:05: for me One is an infrastructure upgrade.

00:07:08: When we talk about infrastructure upgrades We talked about replacement of agent pipelines.

00:07:13: Right!

00:07:16: our systems, like for example as Cox had been done earlier when we talk about Hurricane the installation of these arm water storage tanks to make sure that you always have a capacity or water stored in case anything happens.

00:07:29: We talked about system optimization right which talks about hydraulic modeling and improve work planning.

00:07:38: .We talked about data integration.

00:07:40: ,the third one was talks Right?

00:07:47: I would have just mentioned a little bit about it.

00:07:49: when i talk about monitor.

00:07:52: This digital integration is how we start now to monitor our system, especially with this kind of part of it right which will talk about monitoring or plant performance in real time identifying pressure drops immediately remotely being able to operate the pumps and valves or reduce response time during emergencies if you have any.

00:08:14: the digital part of it, which is EDM's program.

00:08:16: Which I'll hear Cox talk a little more about when we come down to the talk about automation and integration so he will explain that as well in depth.

00:08:27: but i look at the intervention part has only three parts which are infrastructure upgrade system optimization and digital integration.

00:08:36: So based on what the G-Course project is doing in Grenada In terms of the water sector, would you say that are most confident in facing any major upcoming climate event?

00:08:48: For example we know we're not too far away from start-of-an-order hurricane season.

00:08:53: Of course and that has sparked years right!

00:08:56: We have already strengthened our operational resilience.

00:09:00: so I can see yes...we are ready for a natural disaster which might face an upcoming future.

00:09:09: Okay, anything else you want to add to that Cox?

00:09:12: Yes definitely.

00:09:14: The G-Cruise project and Ronald sum it up nicely the its intervention with a propelled Nawasaw would please.

00:09:24: not nawasaw rather strategic position.

00:09:29: It will have added or increased our storage Or treated storage capacity tremendously.

00:09:38: It is also impacting our raw water storage capacity, and as Ronald rightfully mentioned the impact that it has given us in terms of our infrastructure upgrade.

00:10:02: to all of what I would have mentioned, to water.

00:10:11: Resiliency looks like today the introduction of the surveillance if you want to call it that... The oversight which is the creation of the Water Resources Management Unit To Have Better Oversight Of Grenaders' Water Resources As A Whole.

00:10:31: In The Past Water Resources management was under the umbrella of Nawasa and that would have allowed it to be somewhat limited from towards water security and water resiliency.

00:11:10: So, you know the GQ's intervention as I say it was tremendous!

00:11:15: You have programs under the GG crews that takes into consideration change in legislation... ...as relates to rainwater harvesting.

00:11:24: now every home in Grenada is not required to have some form of storage or rainwater And capacity.

00:11:35: So all of these interventions, it's what we consider strategic actions taken by the project to ensure general resiliency and a better protection on conservation of water across the island.

00:11:55: Okay So we've just spoken about upgrades and infrastructure.

00:11:59: Those are one side of resilience, but technology is another one as mentioned earlier.

00:12:05: Let's now talk a little bit how smart our systems can help respond faster And be more efficient.

00:12:12: How can automated or SMART system strengthen your work at NOASA?

00:12:17: Indeed automation is key One.

00:12:20: it propels efficiency and efficiency needs to better service and a force of overall aim, of better conservation.

00:12:31: The introduction of STADA which the project brought as part of its deliverables is key because simply because when we had Hurricane Beryl just by year-and-a-half ago or it's almost nearing two years now right?

00:12:50: What you find If you want to call it that because and Ronald would probably come in on our disaster preparedness Because the disaster preparedness plan has what do at different stages before?

00:13:05: You have a storm or any major event like that eating out shows.

00:13:09: And one of things is that the twelve hour, six hours most if you understand our Water architecture.

00:13:18: Most of our dams are located In The Mountain And part of the disaster plan includes the shutting off systems.

00:13:30: Rightfully so, during hurricanes and so you tend to get slides or stuff like that could sever pipelines even though they are below ground.

00:13:40: So parts of the Disaster Plan is actually shut-off the system As it stands now our system because all workers often times have to go home before the system, a system hit land wall.

00:13:54: you would find that sometimes six hours before twelve hours before a storm all of our systems are already shut down.

00:14:02: The introduction of technology like skater is now giving us the remote capabilities of shutting off our systems from offices or homes.

00:14:15: so it means we can be far more efficient in terms our shutdown time at the time of these major events, in that we can shut a system off and hour before a hurricane hit land pearl.

00:14:32: And that timeframe might just give an individual a chance to fill up some buckets or water, prepare themselves for what is to come because after the storm you don't know what's gonna happen are going to be impacted, you just don't know how long any one area is gonna be impacted after the storm.

00:14:54: So we see that as a tremendous plus because it gives the nation more flexibility and allows for better preparedness.

00:15:06: so that's what SCADA is doing with us.

00:15:09: The project also would have allowed us introduce the digitization of Nahuasa's entire process.

00:15:19: That is, currently whenever there's an issue or leak for anything like that the entire processes.

00:15:27: if you want to call it analog a phone call comes in its logged into our billing system and then thereafter It's a paper trail before he gets through the respective departments that deal with it.

00:15:40: so sometimes by the time somebody reports a leak to the time that it gets through the transmission and distribution department or the projects department, whichever department is handling.

00:15:51: It would sometimes take a day-and-a-half two days... And again with processes like this of course for data management you have to capture when the leaks come in so we know where they are etc.

00:16:04: That entire process.

00:16:06: We're now making our whole process digital.

00:16:10: So from the timer phone call comes The service rep is going to log that request and by the click of a button, it would show up in a matter seconds on their respective transmission & distribution supervisors handheld device.

00:16:27: Yeah?

00:16:28: So a leak that now used to take two days before it reached to supervisor... ...is not gonna take minutes.

00:16:36: so just imagine the level of efficiency we've added As a result of the introduction Of that new digitized system, it's called EDAMS.

00:16:48: So we're now in the process of implementing EDAMs.

00:16:52: In addition to that We have gone...we've had two years ago also introduced Our NRW department and non-revenue water Department our leak detection department.

00:17:05: That department has the sole mandate To ensure relatively okay NRW.

00:17:13: between twenty five percent goes lower.

00:17:17: yeah so we want to be more prudent in our leak management or leak detection.

00:17:21: So, we've introduced quite a bit of new devices as it relates to leak detection monitors and new flow meters on tracking devices.

00:17:32: .So ,we could have better appreciation in terms how the system is performing as we go along.

00:17:40: And critical to note that the EDM system is GIS based, so anything that happens on this system it's logged and providing data to assist with Nahuasa decision making because all of those data are now logged in the system.

00:17:57: prior a lot of these data used to be just institutional knowledge in our supervisor head.

00:18:02: he remembers how many times a pipeline breaks here since tracking has not been happening In a special way, but instead everything was physical.

00:18:12: People flying all around the department.

00:18:16: I think that's called everything.

00:18:18: Oh yes based on what we've just said That looks like a three hundred and sixty degree turn!

00:18:24: That is taking place there for now.

00:18:26: All good everyone benefits in this facility the workers and even this citizens overall benefiting as well.

00:18:34: So then, we just touch slightly again into the overall disaster preparedness because I mean resilience is about pipes and technology but it's also what people processes are planning.

00:18:44: now when it comes to the over all disaster preparedness beyond infrastructure upgrades on everything How has Nahuasa changed internally to improve disaster preparedness?

00:18:55: And do we have a timeline based on all the things that you've spoken about, discarder digitalization edams.

00:19:03: Do We Have A Timeline For All These?

00:19:07: So basically what I can tell is now itself being continuously looking at disaster preparedness.

00:19:13: right they actually of team in place for That Right.

00:19:15: so i Can Tell You What We Have Done So Far In The Systems put in place right now, includes both physical and digital readiness.

00:19:24: Some of these strengths that we have put them places like for example on some of the plants were backup or supply where emergency repair protocols you actually are putting a spare inventory management whether we have spare parts incase anything happens.

00:19:39: And because of the automation that Cox just talked about We have the introduction out of the SCADA system which is real time system monitoring and also the idioms, which is digital documentation.

00:19:51: Right?

00:19:52: Now if infrastructure gets damaged we will have to put in place for that right now because of these two new systems that would be rolled out before end-of-the sea cruise completion.

00:20:05: what you'll know?

00:20:06: how it's accessed?

00:20:07: no digital drawings right immediately.

00:20:11: We will all so have whether we can identify valves or create valve and automatically close all vows on certain key infrastructures.

00:20:21: We'll be able now to track repair history or track repairs going forward with the use of automation, not a digital platform.

00:20:30: And also we know that we will be able to mobilize faster.

00:20:33: Now I say this in short but what I'm saying is That... We are ready!

00:20:38: And we're getting there.

00:20:40: Good good.

00:20:42: So now that we looked at disaster management as we end off our podcast, let's look to the future of water resilience in Grenada.

00:20:50: With all the improvements that is going on be taking place what still keeps you up at night when it comes to Water Security?

00:20:58: In Grenada, Lain!

00:21:00: Yes and then Cox or anyone... What keeps y'all Up At Night?

00:21:06: What keep us Up At Nights?

00:21:08: most like these are when we get emergency calls or somebody called for breakage, but to be honest with you I am a bit more comfortable at nights.

00:21:20: The only time i will be a little uneasy is like if we have a... no obviously it's the only way where natural disaster on its own and we have unexpected occurrences that might happen right?

00:21:36: Work has been done by Nivi

00:21:37: another

00:21:38: organization or something and we have to come up.

00:21:40: But how I look at the future of water resilience, as i said before...I love this carter!

00:21:49: And..i love the automation , i love the digital platform that we are growing.

00:21:54: so ...i like a little baby when it comes to that.

00:21:57: ..and be honest um....we are living with this car because this car is like our baby to us.

00:22:02: now what i hope to see is that ....we grow in this car And we eventually expand this kind of network to all your own facilities, so that you can have a more robust look and control over our facilities.

00:22:20: But I do sleep comfortably at night!

00:22:25: All

00:22:25: right good...

00:22:26: So let's say it as the short answer that Ronald gave us We do sleep comfortable at night with Intervention of TG Cruise Projects But I personally, am still very uneasy in terms of the future for water supply.

00:22:44: So our overall goal as an organization is uninterrupted supply of water and we are not there yet.

00:22:55: We're just about entering the dry season And even with The Intervention Of The G-Gurus Project.

00:23:01: Although most quite a bit of the interventions are not yet completed We are still unable to give an agents of water uninterrupted.

00:23:12: You would have seen them in recent days, constant messaging from us about valve regulation in some places.

00:23:21: that has to stop... That has go away one way or the other.

00:23:28: So when you ask me what is future of water resilience in Grenada means?

00:23:32: It mean un-interrupted supply.

00:23:36: So it means that we're still, our minds are still on the grain.

00:23:40: We know...we've just recently published a strategic plan twenty-five to twenty-nine which is this short interventions where now they haven't been looking at creation of master plans for water development For Grenada.

00:24:03: and now we're talking about a medium to long term plan.

00:24:07: A plan that is gonna look at water resources management Treating them resiliency as all of government climate agenda, but with the sole aim Of ensuring that rain storm Sunshine when a grenadian open up their top what should be coming out of it?

00:24:29: so um there We have started preliminary assessment of our water resources and NAWASA has already started looking at our infrastructure in terms of redundancies.

00:24:46: And Ronald would've mentioned it in a more scientific way, the system optimization how we can move water from the north to south, depending on which area has more water get water to the areas that are

00:25:02: more

00:25:03: vulnerable.

00:25:04: The elevated communities tend to suffer during the dry season, so notwithstanding the interventions of the G-Cruise project we're still quite a bit away off in terms of investment you know?

00:25:16: In our water infrastructure.

00:25:18: To bring us to that goal Of uninterrupted supply of water or uninterruptive production of water So that Grenadians has water every day of the week, so that in my conclusion would be what?

00:25:36: The future or resiliency in Grenada meets.

00:25:40: And we end on this note….

00:25:42: Thank you very much Rimcox and Ronald Lane both from NOASA for sharing your insights today!

00:25:48: It is clear from what we've discussed that while climate challenges are real, Grenaday's taking proactive steps to ensure that turning on-the-top remains a simple every day reality.

00:26:00: And to all our listeners, follow Nawasa on Facebook or Instagram at Nawasa Grenada as well as G-Cruise on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at G-cruise.

00:26:10: four seven three for updates on future water projects!

00:26:28: It's been a really insightful discussion.

00:26:31: In this regional podcast, we explore how countries across Central America and the Caribbean tackle climate change protect biodiversity and build resilience with support of The International Climate Initiative or IKI.

00:26:43: We produce these podcasts within the IKI Interface Project for the region as part our efforts to promote exchange knowledge and lessons learned.

00:26:51: For more information you can visit our website which is linked in episode description.

00:26:56: Join us next time as we continue sharing these stories and if you haven't yet, catch up on previous episodes of Spotify.