Why Rainwater Harvesting is Crucial in the Caribbean

While the Caribbean islands may evoke images of azure waters and gentle breezes, the reality of its geography may limit earth’s greatest resource—its drinking water. Getting potable water to residents is a critical need on all of the islands. An estimated 500,000 people in the region at least partially depend on rainwater harvesting, with the heaviest users in Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos, and the Grenadines. And as the tourism and industry infrastructure increases, so will the need for water. Here are some issues that are facing the Caribbean, and why rainwater harvesting is so important in the islands.

Rainwater harvesting may be the only option for remote areas on the islands.

In rural areas, public water may not be an option. Even on larger islands such as Jamaica or the Virgins, there are remote areas that are forced to rely heavily on water being delivered by trucks from cities or nearby rivers. Rainwater harvesting, done on a small scale, is a simple, inexpensive alternative for low-income areas. Rainwater can be used to recharge a well or the aquifer itself. It provides a source of water directly at the point where it is needed, and may provide reserves during storms or other emergencies.

Climate shifts may strain the water supply.

In the Caribbean, the rainy season from May to December provides 80% of the region’s annual rainfall. However, if there are changes in the climate, this percentage may change. According to this article abstract, two El Niño years (1997 and 2009) resulted in reduced rainwater harvesting capacities by at least 40%, which negatively impacts the areas that lack potable drinking water. And Weadapt.org reports that in St. Lucia, “rainfall is projected to decrease overall for the Southern Caribbean, with an anticipated 26-53% decrease in precipitation by 2050. Fewer heavy rainfall events are expected. More intense dry spells are also predicted. During the dry season of 2009 and 2010 St. Lucia experienced the worst drought in the last 40-year period.”

Rainwater harvesting systems are the best way to be prepared for all drought or natural disaster contingencies. Higher capacity storage equipment, like the 15,000-gallon cistern in the photo below, can provide storage for larger building complexes, such as a condominium development. Plastic tanks, such as this one, also provide UV filtering and reduced algae bloom, which is important in tropical climates.

Environmental development and eco-tourism is increasing.

As noted by travel agents, more Caribbean tourists are seeking eco-friendly lodging. By incorporating rainwater harvesting systems into the design, resort architects and builders are able to create a self-sustaining environment that suits the visitors and the residents. For example, in Saint Lucia, the Coconut Bay Resort uses rainwater harvested from its rooftops to fill its 16,000 gallon swimming pool. As the number of resorts increases, the need to incorporate rainwater harvesting systems of all sizes will increase, too.

Want to learn more about commercial rainwater harvesting applications? Visit our website to learn more about the economic and environmental advantages of installing a system at your location. Our in-house CAD department, experienced LEED AP design staff, rainwater lab and industry-leading selection of rainwater storage options, filtration, high-capacity pump stations and water treatment systems make any water retention and detention system greatly simplified and achievable. Put the rain to work for you!