Socio-economic assessment of the beneficiaries of the Wag Water Watershed: A Water Fund feasibility study for Kingston's water supply

Year

Location

Organization

Role

Description

December 2016 - February 2017

Trinidad and Tobago

The Nature Conservancy

Socioeconomic Vulnerability Assessment Expert - led the socioeconomic component of the project to provide quantitative information on the different segments of the users of water resources to establish who the main consumers and potential voluntary contribution towards the establishment of a Water Fund in the basin

This project investigates the social dimensions of watersheds as part of an integrated approach to watershed management. The aim is to undertake a socio-economic assessment of the beneficiaries of the Wag Water watershed and provide relevant quantitative information on the different categories of water users. The assessment identifies the main stakeholders and their impact on natural resources. It is intended to highlight issues of equity and vulnerability by depicting variations in socio-economic characteristics within the watershed, for example by mapping population distribution and patterns of poverty. Another aim is to map the use of watershed resources and services. The longer term goal is to establish who are the main consumers of water (and thus potential voluntary contributors towards the establishment of a Water Fund in the basin), and to assess their potential influence in mobilizing such a Water Fund. Consideration needs to be given to ways in which marginalized groups can be best integrated into the Water Fund. The assessment needs to consider potential conflicts that may need to be averted by ensuring fairness and equity in the implementation of the Water Fund.