RAINWATER HARVESTING IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR GREGORY GIBBS BAKIE

WHAT IS RAIN WATER HARVESTING? The process of collecting, conveying and storing rainwater for future beneficial use. Rainwater can be stored for direct use or recharged into the ground water aquifer. For the purposes of this presentation we will be focusing on Rainwater Harvesting for direct use. Aquifer is an underground bed or layer yielding ground water for wells and springs.

WHY RAINWATER HARVESTING? Water is our most vital resource – it supports life and life support systems. There is approximately 1, 400 km3 of water on earth. Only 1% is easily available for human use. This amount will continue to decrease as the world’s population expands.

WHY RAINWATER HARVESTING? Current and future water supplies are being degraded by pollution from: domestic waste solid waste industrial effluent Agricultural drainage, etc What does all this mean? Less water for our needs! So what is the solution?

WHY RAINWATER HARVESTING? An average person: 6 – 44 GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY An average person needs about 6 – 44 gallons of water per day for drinking, cooking and bathing.

WHY RAINWATER HARVESTING? For a hotel of about 500 guests: At least 300 gallons of water is needed per guest per day. This does not account for water needed for: Irrigation Kitchens Laundry Facilities Toilets Swimming Pools Swimming Pools Spas With increasing water scarcity, we need an alternate source of water supply to keep our guests happy. Landscape Irrigation

WHY RAINWATER HARVESTING? Traditional water sources: Surface waters (rivers, lakes, ponds, etc) Ground water (water stored underground in aquifers) Rainwater Our most viable source is rainwater. So what is the solution?

WHY RAINWATER HARVESTING? Rainwater Harvesting is: The oldest method of securing water practiced by ancient civilizations It has been around for more than 4, 000 years It is the most simple and low-cost means of water supply It employs technologies that are generally easy to install and maintain. The water is free!

HOW? Rainwater capture: Rooftops Surface runoffs (drains, slopes, pavements) For this presentation, we will be concentrating on Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting. So how do we capture this free water?

RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM Components of a Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System: Roof Catchment Gutters Downpipes & First Flushing Pipe Filters Storage Tank Not all systems will have every one of these features. Systems are designed to suit different environments and purposes. How can this system be used in the hospitality sector?

The Experience A Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System was implemented at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa in St. Lucia in 2011

The Experience Water Challenges: Four (4) swimming pools including a water park and lazy river. Pools range in size from 20, 000 – 400, 000 gallons. 10, 000 gallons of water a day is used to maintain pools and for irrigation purposes. The Water Company shuts down water supply during heavy rainfall. The Hotel needed an alternative source of water, one that was economical and sustainable.

The Experience Rooftops of room blocks used as water catchments. Each block fitted with gutters and down pipes along the entire length.

The Experience Roof Catchments, Gutters and Down pipes

The Experience

The Experience Down pipes lead directly to the underground storage tanks. Storage Tanks: Two (2) 8, 000 gallon underground storage tanks. One (1) on either side of the room blocks. Built to blend in with landscaping. Storage Tanks

Underground rainwater storage tanks The Experience Underground rainwater storage tanks Pictures of the two underground storage tanks.

The Experience From the tanks the water is send to pumps. 5 HP Water Pump Structures are built to blend in with the landscaping.

The Experience Water is pumped into the pool pump room. It goes through the Chlorination System. Again, the structures are built to blend in with the landscaping.

The Experience The structures are built to blend in with the landscape. Again, the structures are built to blend in with the landscaping. Pool Pump Room

The Experience From the Pool Pump Room, the water is pumped into the swimming pools. Again, the structures are built to blend in with the landscaping.

The Experience Rain water from the roof of the surrounding buildings are also pumped through the Sewerage System to the processing tanks. Sewerage Pump System Again, the structures are built to blend in with the landscaping.

The Experience Sewerage System: Takes in sewerage from the hotel. Rainwater from the surrounding buildings.

The Experience Sewerage System: Raw sewerage and rainwater is processed to remove contaminants.

The Experience The end-product, grey water, is distributed to the irrigation system and filtered to prevent the sprinklers from clogging.

The Experience Water is used to irrigate lawns, flowers and plants on the hotel property.

The Experience Advantages for the Hotel: Reduced cost to maintain pools; Contribute to the Green Movement by conserving water. Contribute to the sustainability of water resources on the island. Address some of the challenges faced with shortage of water supply on the island, particularly when it rains heavily.

The Experience The Way Forward: Increase use for grey water. Increase uses for rainwater, e.g. to flush toilets, maintenance, etc. Increased sustainability of the project by converting rainwater into potable water and to recognize a greater impact in savings.

THE END! THANK YOU.