Water Resources Management:Water Conservation Methods.

Alexious Rolle Dept. of Statistics Environmental StatisticsWater Resources

Water Resource Challenges:The Commonwealth of the Bahamas

All freshwater is in the form of groundwater.

Only three islands with significant water resources.

Some small islands have no freshwater.

Uneven and seasonal distribution of rainfall (North & North Central Rainfall: 50-60 in/yr (1,270-1,524 mm/yr), South Rainfall: 36 in/yr (914 mm/yr); Pronounced Wet Season: May to October).

Most communities located away from resources.

Need for high cost alternatives (Reverse Osmosis).

Vulnerability of water resources; 90% of thefreshwater lenses within 5-ft (1.5-m) of the surface.

Rainfall for The Bahamas

What is different about the Water Resources in The Bahamas?

Hydrogeology Freshwater

Lenses with Unique

Characteristics. Unique Geology.

RAIN

SEASEA

WATER

AERATED ROCK

HIGHLY SALINE WATER

Diagram of a Freshwater Lens in an Oceanic Island(Like The Bahamas)

BRACKISH

FRESHWATER LENS INSATURATED ROCK

LOSSES TOEVAPOTRANSPIRATION

RUN OFFTO THE SEA

Water Resources of The Bahamas

The groundwater resources of the Commonwealth comprise the fresh, brackish, saline and hypersaline waters found in the near and deep subsurface and in the lakes and ponds that intercept the surface. The freshwater resources occur as three-dimensional lens-shaped bodies, which overlie brackish and saline waters at depth.

Table: Freshwater Resources

Bahamas National Accounts Statistics

  GROSS VALUE ADDED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN      

    WATER INDUSTRY            

                   

            (B$ thousands)  

  OUTPUT INTERMEDIATE GROSS NET GROSSDEPRECIATIO

N NET WAGES NET

INDUSTRY   CONSUMPTION VALUE ADDED

INDIRECT VALUE ADDED   VALUE AND

OPERATING

      AT MARKET TAXES AT FACTOR   ADDED SALARIES SURPLUS

      PRICES   COST      

                   

2000 38,635 19,400 19,235 0 19,235 5,547 13,688 15,747 -2,059

2001 39,818 18,954 20,864 -5,206 26,070 5,397 20,673 14,777 5,896

2002 45,127 18,468 26,660 -3,600 30,260 5,734 24,525 17,691 6,834

2003 42,102 22,361 19,741 -4,680 24,421 5,585 18,836 17,714 1,122

2004 46,046 22,289 23,757 -4,188 27,945 6,215 21,730 18,779 2,951

2005 47,725 29,495 18,231 -3,748 21,979 6,389 15,590 19,970 -4,380

                   

The BahamasWater Resource Vulnerability

1. Ease of access and overexploitation. Saline intrusion.

2. Easily damaged or destroyed by mans activities. Canals, borrow pits, rock mining.

3. Prone to inundation. Storm surges, and sea level rise.

4. Easily polluted:A.) Close water tableB.) Rock porosity and permeabilityC.) Lacking soilsD.) Internal drainageE.) Scarce disposal sites in small island

environment. Dumping habits, and lack of mains sewerage.

Difficult and Costly Clean Up!

Water Conservation Tips,to save water and money:

Toilet flushing accounts for 40% of the water usage each day.

Showers and baths account for 35% of the water usage each day.

Laundry and dishwashing account for 20% of the water usage each day.

Drinking and cooking account for the additional 5% of the water usage per day.

(NOTE) Water your lawn in the early mornings and only when necessary. In our climate the lawn only requires water every 5-7 days, during the summer months.

Water Resources Assessment of The Bahamas

LATEST UPDATE

Produced By:- U.S. Army Corp’s of Engineers

Using Existing Data and Reports.Approved by Government.

Website: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/en/wra/Bahamas/Bahamas.html