Utility Service User Partnership for Domestic Potable Water System Adoption in Barbados

摘要

To build resilience of domestic potable water reliability to supply interruptions, the Barbados Water Authority created the personal tank program (PTP) in 2016. The PTP offers a tank solution to customers either 1. free, or 2. as a 5-year interest free hire purchase agreement. The system comprises a 400 gallon tank, 0.6 HP pump, concrete base, and plumbing fittings. By July 2018, the PTP installed 50 free and 215 purchased systems. 18 of the free systems remain inoperational due to the inability of program participants to afford the unexpected/non-advertised plumbing and electrical works. To avoid pump electricity costs (USD 35/month), program participants store standing water in the tank (potentially stagnant) and take water directly from the utility supply. At least 30 purchased systems store water in this non-flow through design mode. This paper presents an overview and recommended improvements to the PTP adoption framework, tank system design, and operation.