After hurricanes Frances and Jeanne struck within weeks of each other in 2004, Rotary clubs in the Bahamas partnered with local charities, government, and Rotary clubs in the USA to build a reverse osmosis water treatment plant. The facility operates in emergencies only, producing and distributing free, safe drinking water when hurricanes interrupt the normal supply. Learn how the partnership and grant funding developed, what lessons were learned, and how the plant continues to serve residents of the Bahamas in times of need.

1. 2016 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
GRAND BAHAMA EMERGENCY
WATER RELIEF FOUNDATION

2. 2016 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
A ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PROJECT
IN FREEPORT, BAHAMAS
Districts 7020, 5280 & 6990

3. WHERE IS FREEPORT, BAHAMAS ?

4. The storm that started the idea

5. Importance of the facility
In 2004 Francis, Jeanne, and Wilma in 2005, were
devastating hurricanes which damaged many homes,
businesses and infrastructure on Grand Bahama Island.
Storm surges sent salt water into existing fresh water wells;
making the water undrinkable.
Electricity and potable water were unavailable for many
days; some Grand Bahama inhabitants went as long as 3 to
6 weeks without clean water and electricity

6. Purpose and function
To be able to manufacture
and distribute drinking
water to those in need
after a natural disaster
interrupts normal supply.

7. The storms caused major destruction island wide

8. Devastated homes

9. Wiped out buildings, schools and businesses

10. Hurricane Francis flooded the airport

11. This is the causeway that cuts off 25,000 people from the hospital and essential services.

12. Hurricanes make this causeway impassable

13. The Wheel started to turn

14. Meanwhile thousands of miles away in California
Myles Pritchard, a Bahamian who is a
member of The Rotary Club of Santa
Monica, California, U.S.A. contacted
Barry Rassin in the Rotary Club of East
Nassau, Bahamas (Myles’ old club)
stating that his club wanted to do a
project in the Bahamas involving water.

15. At the same time in the Bahamas
A Rotarian was the CFO of the TK Foundation, a
local charitable trust based in Nassau which was
looking for a Rotary partner to create a facility that
could respond
proactively rather than reactively
to assist the island suffering with water shortages
after a storm cuts off local supply. They needed a
local partner to ensure that the project would be
sustainable.

16. Rotary
Was the natural choice !

17. Legal framework
• The Grand Bahama Emergency Water Relief Foundation
was formed.
This protects the Directors and Rotarians from liability.
• Grand Bahama Port Authority Licensee
To carry on the business of an emergency only production and
free distribution of clean drinking water from a reverse osmosis
plant for water relief during and post emergencies and disasters
to the needy in Grand Bahama and elsewhere in the region.
• Ability to import Duty Free goods and supplies

18. Project Funding
Source of Funds Amount
• D 7020 DDF (District designated funds) $ 25,000
• D 5280 DDF (District designated funds) $ 6,250
• Rotary Foundation 100% match $ 31,250
• D 5280 – Rotary Club of Santa Monica $ 6,500
• Rotary Foundation Match (50%) $ 3,250
• D 5280 – Additional Rotary Clubs $ 15,167
• Rotary Foundation 50% match $ 7,583
• TOTAL ROTARY FUNDS $ 95,000
• TK Foundation matching grant $ 122,610
TOTAL FUNDS FOR PROJECT $ 217, 610
This is a perfect example of your Club’s Foundation contributions
coming back to the club for your use!

19. Disclosure to RI during the grant process
• During the grant application, and after the grant has been
approved, there are requirements of regular communication
and evidence of proper financial stewardship and reporting.
• Each grant is assigned a contact at RI who deals with that
particular grant.
• Grants must be closed out in order for the club to qualify to
apply for another. In fact the district cannot apply for any new
grants with an open grant still in the system.

20. Rotarians working on the grant and getting paid
MUST BE
DISCLOSED IN
ADVANCE

21. So what did we get
for $217,610?

22. Hurricane proof building

23. REVERSE OSMOSIS MACHINE
• 7,500 GPD capacity
• Fully automatic
• Self cleaning weekly
• Draws water from its
own well
• No proprietary parts.

24. • 20 KW Diesel
generator
• 90 hours fuel
capacity
• Extra fuel stored
inside the plant
additional 150 hours
Emergency power

25. 5500 gallons storage

26. Everything we need in a response is stored inside the building.

27. Distribution
10 water trailers
Used to fill fixed tanks or park for self filling

28. Everything has Rotary on it!
Make sure that the public knows this is Rotary at work!

29. Water quality (in total dissolved solids)
• The USEPA City
water standard is
550 TDS/PPM
Total dissolved solids
in parts per million.
• We have been
producing water
between
16 to 19 TDS/PPM

30. Water maintenance
The tank is kept empty
and filled when we have
an approaching storm.
Once water is stored in
the main tank it is kept
bacteria free with the
use of an ozone water
treatment system.

31. Spare parts
• We have spare pre-filters to last up to five years
• Every possible gauge, valve and electrical part that
could go wrong is in stock
• Spare belts and HP pump rebuild kit
• We have a credit at Watermakers Inc. for a new
membrane should we need one in years to come (they
have a shelf life)

32. Distribution centers
• Walk up traffic to the plant
• Salvation Army Headquarters
• Red Cross Headquarters
• Established NEMA approved hurricane shelters (there were 12 last
hurricane) Water will be in the shelters before the storm hits.
• Established churches on the island that we worked with in the last
major storms
• Drive through affected areas with the pickup truck tanks and let
residents fill their own jugs

33. Communications - Satellite Phone
• make calls worldwide
• send and receive text
messages
• receive voicemail

34. Observations from visitors to the facility
When past RI Director John Smarge visited the plant he made mention
of how important it was that we had developed so many relationships
with a variety of organizations. Not only were we in partnership with
the local government and the National Emergency Agency, but we also
had involved local industry, local utilities and other service
organizations.
After past RI General Secretary Ed Futa visited he was impressed with
all of the built-in redundancies to ensure reliability and sustainability.
Every system has a back-up and parts are in stock. Rotaract is very
involved in the maintenance and operation of the facility.

35. And then came Hurricane Sandy
The first real
test of the
plant

36. Airport flooded – again !
Almost anytime we have a hurricane pass on
our east or north side we have flooding.

37. The Fishing Hole Road
This road cuts off the western half of
the island from Freeport and the
hospital when it floods

38. Downtown Freeport
This is the road in front of the water and ice house

39. Water – Rotary at work !

40. Rotarians’ kids helping out.
They are learning ‘Service Above Self’ early
This is Rotary in action!

41. Rotarians at Work

42. TANK TRAILERS IN ACTION
Water was distributed in the eastern
district and the affected neighborhoods

43. People filling jugs

44. Lessons learned from Hurricane
Sandy• We felt it better to keep the public outside of the plant.
• We wanted more redundancy in event the generator or
distribution pump failed.
• We wanted ZNS or other radio piped outside so people
knew what was going on.
• During the Sandy response we got hungry and sent a
Rotarian for pizza and it took 3 hours to get back and
tasted like cardboard with tomato sauce. We wanted food
and cooking facilities already in the plant before the storm.
• We felt that a refrigerator would be nice to keep stuff cold.
• Everyone wanted to charge their cell phones.
• Needed better first aid supplies and insect repellant.

45. Pre-storm communications
We discovered that WhatsApp
was a very useful tool in
communicating in real time to the entire
group.
• For pre storm planning.
• During the storm updates.
• Post storm communications

46. Actions from lessons learned

47. Eight outside fill stations
Operated with electric pressure pump or gravity feed
• This adds built-in redundancy in the event the generator fails.
• Enables people to fill their own jugs.
• Keeps people outside the building.

48. No more back breaking work!

49. Fridge, food and cooking facilities inside the plant

50. Better stocked First Aid kits and insect repellent

51. Estimated yearly budget
GB Port Authority License - $107.50
Bi-annual lab water testing - $107.50
Insurance (Fire/theft/public liability) - $2,000
Power - $750
Generator maintenance (filters) -$90
Bahamas Government foundation -$500
Unexpected expenses -$1,000
$4,555

52. Does this Club have a Disaster committee?
• Who is the chairperson?
• Do you have a contact list or
WhatsApp group?
• Do you have a community assessment
team?
• Do you have a pre and post plan in event
of a hurricane, tornado, earthquake?

53. Does your club have a Plan?
• Do you have a community education program for your community?
• Think about utilizing the resources of Interact and Rotaract in the
public school system.
• Does your club have an emergency fund with money in it to purchase
supplies or services before the emergency arises?
• Perhaps create an annual fund raiser earmarked to fund the emergency
or disaster account.
• Do you have a relationship with local suppliers for things like food,
water and shelter (hotels/apartments)? Consider a membership drive
towards those owners and managers of those companies. Get them to
join the club and put them on the Disaster committee.

54. Join the DNA - Rotarian Action Group
• The Disaster Network of Assistance
Rotarian Action Group
• This is a group of Rotarians concerned and actively
involved with all kinds of disasters worldwide.
• Stop by their booth in the House of Friendship and
speak with Dr. Leigh Readdy and learn more.