By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE Water and Sewerage Company has implemented climate resiliency and disaster management measures in the Family Islands to help protect these islands in the face of climate change.

In a press conference held Wednesday, WSC Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson particularly focused on the measures for North Long Island and Crooked Island, which focused on equipment to assist in the wake of power outages, flooding, sea level rise, and hurricane winds.

“Climate change is unavoidable and WSC has implemented climate change resiliency measures to reduce the vulnerability of water systems across the country.…Particularly as it relates to natural disasters,” Mr Gibson said.

The first measures Mr Gibson listed for North Long Island and Crooked Island focused on power outages.

“At the RO (reverse osmosis) site in Long Island, (a) full standby generator will be installed…and the same will take place in Crooked Island,” he said. He added that this measure goes beyond climate change as it also provides back-up power.

“This will feature the use of a solar PV (photovoltaic) power source, where practical.”

In regard to flooding, Mr Gibson noted WSC has identified “the 100 year flood levels”. Consequently, he said, it has ensured that tanks, pumps, and plants are installed at least two feet above the flood level where possible.

“An analysis was carried out by WSC’s climate change consultant to verify the climate change impacts on Crooked Island and North Long Island, to determine the pipeline and RO plant locations which could be subject to storm surge inundation (or) flooding,” Mr Gibson continued. “In special vulnerable conditions, we required a four-foot pipe burial depth.”

He added WSC has identified structures and equipment that could be impacted by hurricane winds and said the corporation “will ensure” that these are designed to withstand Category 4 wind forces up to 156 miles per hour.