PROBLEM STATEMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM
For decades flooding has plagued the Anna Regina Secondary school compound and other
communities in region two. Moreover, Guyana is seriously affected by this phenomenon.
In recent times, due to climate and environmental conditions and global warming,
flooding has become even more serious, lives have been lost, diseases are spread, schools
disrupted, loss of working time ,damage to livestock and crops and a general economic crisis in
some cases.
Our problem at the Anna Regina Secondary School is the phenomenon of flooding, not only
from excessive rainfall but also from water draining into our canal from rice lands and the
conservancy at the back of the school causing an overtopping of the canal and the water
flowing into the schoolyard.
Recently, this volume of water increased to almost 20inches. There was destruction
everywhere; classes, end of term exams, the home-economics department, science
laboratories, IT department, industrial arts department, dormitory and even our regional
education officer was displaced from her apartment.
Thus we propose the D. R. A. F. T project as a solution to this problem.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
To demonstrate Flood-Reduction Techniques and Recycling for effective, sustainable and
economical practices using alternative source of energy for the benefit of flood affected
communities.
APPROACH OR PROPOSED SOLUTION
The D.R.A.F.T project will eliminate the flooding by using the excessive flood waters in
aquaponics, distillation and recycling some of it for domestic use.
Our project will consist of a method of moving the flood waters by a wind/solar turbine
or a solar water pump from the canal at the back of the school and distributing it into the drains
and reservoirs.
The flood water from the drains will flood or be pumped into the distilling factory where
solar energy will be harnessed to purify this water and carbonated mango/ coconut shells used
to extract the harmful metal ions from the water. This solar-purified water will now be filtered
into an aquaponics system and other storage tanks. In the aquaponics systems tilapias will be
reared and the waste from these fishes used to grow green and leafy vegetables. The water
from the storage tanks will then be used for domestic purposes in around the school complex
for example in the teachers’ quarters, dormitory, canteens, washrooms and the school building.
In addition, a system will be set up to harness the excess rain water which can be further
utilized within the school.
It is with this view that we propose the D.R.A.F.T project as a solution to reduce flooding
in the 21st century.
Method of investigation
The four methods of investigation that we will use are observations/pictures, interviews cost,
analysis and online research.
Observations would be made or the situation of flooding and pictures will be presented based
on the most recent incidents of flooding in December 2013.
Interviews will be done with some students and teachers to determine how flooding has
affected them and their work. The interviews will also collect information on their assessment
of the flooding situation and possible recommendations for the solution to this problem.
A cost analysis will be conducted using information gathered from local companies on the
installation and maintenance of these systems.
Online research will be conducted to determine what other places are doing to reduce flooding.
Research will also be done on countries that are presently utilizing one or more of these floodreduction techniques and their effectiveness.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURES USED TO COLLECT DATA
Observations/pictures:- Students were asked to take pictures of the flooding situation at
school and make a compilation of these pictures along with their observations on how flooding
has affected the various parts of the school.
Interviews:- The school consists of approximately 1052 students and 53 staff members. Since
processing data for all these persons is a difficult task; 30 students were chosen and 30 teachers
to be interviewed, which give a total of 60 persons in the survey. The interviews were done in
the school`s laboratory and the data analyzed by the students involved in the project.
Surveys:-
1. To determine the quantity of water required for use by the school
community over a 24 hours period. The persons within the complexes of the
school compound were given a survey sheet to provide information on the
number of persons, amount of water used and duration. This was done to
provide an estimate based the quantity of water required each department/
apartment of the compound
2. To determine information for the aquaponics system. The Kayman Sankar
complex was used as our resource area since this complex has tilapias ponds.
A question sheet was prepared and a group of students visited the Kayman
Sankar complex to gather information and the rearing of tilapias.
3. An investigation was done to determine how often the rice fields at the back
of the school release water and how this practice coincide with rainfall and
the frequency of flooding of the school compound and community
Findings, Analysis and Presentation of Results
In the interviews that were done 60 persons were asked questions and everyone
participated willingly.
FINDINGS
Responses to questionnaires
Questions Asked
Students
Teachers
30 Students
30 Teachers
1. Have you been affected by
flooding of the school
compound?
25 said yes
5 said no
30 said yes
2. How could you describe
effects of any of the floods?
15 very severe
7 severe
3 moderate
25 very severe
5 severe
3. Have you been affected?
15 incomplete school work
/assignment
6 health risks
2 absentation
2 exposed to danger
30 affected everyway
4. How urgent do you think a
solution is needed for this
problem?
15 very urgent
10 urgent
5 not urgent
25 very urgent
5 urgent
5. What do you think are the
causes of the flooding of the
compound of the school?
6. What do you think are
some possible
solutions/remedies for this
problem?
9 low land
4 bad drainage system
4 improper disposal of
garbage
3 clogged drains
10 water from backlnads/
rice fields draining into the
school compound
6 land fill
4 improve drainage system
2 proper disposal of garbage
2 regular cleaning and disilting
of drains and surrounding
trenches
16 constructing a system to
utilize water before draining
onto the land
7 low land
5 bad drainage system
5 improper disposal of
garbage
4 clogged drains
9 water from backlnads/ rice
fields draining into the school
compound
5 land filling
4 improve drainage system
5 proper disposal of garbage
2 regular cleaning and disilting
of drains and surrounding
trenches
14 constructing a system to
utilize water before draining
onto the land
Graph showing what students and teachers think
are the causes of flooding of the compound of the
school
16
19
9
7
9
low land
bad drainage system
improper disposal of garbage
clogged drains
water from backlands/ ricefields draining into school compound
Graph showing how students and teachers are affected by
flooding
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
incomplete work/
assignment
health risks
absentism
exposed to
danger
affected in
everyway
Graph showing how urgent a solution is needed for the problem
not urgent
urgent
very urgent
0
10
20
30
40
Out of the 30 students in the interview, 83% of the students have been affected by flooding and
a 100% of the teachers have been affected.
50% of the students were affected very severely by flooding and 83% of the teachers.
Both the students and the teachers have been affected in some way or the other by
flooding of the school compound. However, teachers have been affected much more in terms
of completion of their work and curriculum implementation and coverage.
From the data obtained, it can be seen that flooding is a major issue since the majority
of students and teachers responded that a solution to this problem is needed very urgently.
The majority of students and teachers responded that the major cause of flooding of the school
compound is due to water from backlands/ rice fields draining into the compound. The least
amount of students and teachers indicated that clogged drains are the major cause of flooding
in and around the school since the drainage system is cleaned regularly by excavators.
However, due to global warming and climate changes and large increase in rice farming, these
drains, trenches and canals cannot handle the volume of water especially during the rainy
season.
Google searches show that many countries around the world are dealing with the
similar issues related to flooding.
In Guyana, many schools in the various regions have to be closed due to flooding.
Our online review also found other possible designs of each aspect of our project.
THE COMPETITION
We want to reduce the effects of flooding at our school by employing techniques to recycle the
flood waters by means of a solar water distiller and aquaponics system. The solar water distiller
will provide potable water that can be made available for domestic and school use or bottled in
plastic bottles that would usually block drains and contribute to pollution. The recycled flood
water will be used in and around the school and neighbouring communities thus reducing the
cost of water bills.
The aquaponics system will provide green and leafy vegetables for our students, teachers and
the community, thus contributing to healthy eating habits and the green space in our school. In
the aquaponics system, tilapias will be reared which will eventually provide food for the
dormitory and the Anna Regina community.
Detailed Costs analysis
Local distributors such as Builders Hardware, Eshwar’s Lumber yard, Bacchus General
Store and Takoor Persaud Hardware Store were contacted for the prices of the materials to
construct the aquaponics system, solar water distiller and the device to capture rainwater.
Costs analysis for aquaponics system
ITEM
Concrete reservoir
Aquaponics pond
Number of tilapias to be
reared (1000)
Volume of water for
pond
Plant bed
Types/ amount of crop
CALCULATION/QUANTITY
-----------40m x 20m x 10m
Average size of one tilapia – 12cm to 15cm
Taking into consideration that tilapias
multiply every 6 weeks
6000𝑚3
10 x 2m x 2m beds
Lettuce – 2 beds
Celery – 2 beds
Calalu – 2 beds
Eschallot – 2 beds
Developmental cost:1. Pond
excavation
2. Fence
3. Pipes
INVESTMENT COST
GUY$
$242,000
$300,000
$25,000
Direct cost:1. Feeding
2. Fingerling
3. Farm labour
4. Pond
maintenance
5. Equipment
(aerators)
Total
$160,000
---------------------
Broccoli – 2 beds
EXPENDITURE
ESTIMATED COST
$ 650,000
$ 567,000
$10,000
--------------------------------------------------------
REVENUE
Sales:- Sale of fishes at
$800 per kg
- 1200 kg of fish
every crop
- 1 crop is
approximately 6
months
RETURN GUY$
$960,000 x 2
$500,000
$160,000
$50,000
$20,000
$100,000
$1,397,000
$ 1,920,000 (2 crops
per year)
Profit for first year = $1,920,000 - $1,397,000
=$523,000
Note that developmental costs will not recur every crop and that a well-designed semi intensive
operation will not need much equipment such as aerators.
Cost analysis for solar water distiller.
Size : 12m x10m x8m
EXPENDITURE
Developmental costs:
1. Excavation of reservoir
2. Construction of
distillery
3. Pipes
4. Filters (2)
5. Carbonated mango
shells
6. tanks
INVESTMENT COST GUY$
ESTIMATED WATER BILL
$100,000
$800,000
$40,000
$40,000
$40,000
$80,000 per month
$720,000 per year
$100,000
Direct cost:
1. Changing of filters
2. General maintenance
$50,000
$150,000
Total
$1,320,000
Note that developmental cost will not recur every year.
So after the first year profit generated:$720,000 - $200,000 =$520,000
From this cost analysis, it can be shown that the school water bill will reduce by $520,000 per
year
Construction of reservoir
Size :40m x 20m x 10m
Capacity: 8000m3
EXPENDITURE
INVESTMENT COST GUY$
1. Excavation of reservoir
$500,000
2. Pipes
$100,000
3. Maintenance
$50,000 per year
Total
$650,000
This reservoir is the main storage of the flood waters which will lead to the distillery.
Trapping/ harnessing rain water
Size: 12m x 10m
1. Construction of pillars (4) - $40,000
2. Setting up of platform (plastic) - $100,000
3. Storage tanks - $200,000
Total = $340,000
Two inches of rain fall with the size of the platform being 12m x 10m, taking into account the
frequency and intensity of the rain fall, will take an hour to trap approximately 1000m 3 of rain
water.
GENERAL COST ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECTS OF FLOODING
ANALYSIS DURING AND AFTER
FLOODING
ESTIMATED
COST PER
YEAR
$164,000
$300,000
ANALYSIS USING THE FLOOD
REDUCTION TECHNIQUES
ESTIMATED
SET-UP COST
1. Damage to garden
1. Setup of
$1,400,000
2. Damage to poultry
aquaponics system
farm
2. Solar water distiller $1,320,000
3. Damage to school
$1, 300,000
3. Construction of
equipment
reservoir
$650,000
4. Damage to books
$600,000
4. Trapping of rain
5. Damage to
$400,000
water
$340,000
infrastructure
6. Damage to kitchen
$200,000
items and equipment
7. Destruction of
$150,000
playground, volleyball
court, cricket pitch
8. Disruption of classes,
$600,000
loss of hours of man
power/labour
9. Damage to vehicles
$250,000
10. Sanitization
$110,000
11. Labour cost for cleanup $90,000
Total
$4,164,000
$3,710,000
From this estimation, it can be seen that phenomenon of flooding greatly affects us at the Anna
Regina Secondary school. The estimated cost of damages sustained to the entire complex
during these two heavy rainy periods per year is much more than the estimated cost for the
setup of our project idea.
Relationship of project to S.T.E.M
S - Aquaponics : (i) Growing crops from the waste of fishes.
(ii) The use of carbonated coconut and/or mango shells to remove metal ions and purify water.
T- Harnessing of solar energy for distillery and wind energy for the turbine.
E- Designing of the flood reduction drainage system.
Designing aquaponics system, solar water distiller and system to trap/harness rain water.
M- Determination of wind speed and turbine revolutions to push flood water.
- Increase crop production by recycling and crop yield.
- Reduction of G.W.I water bills by recycling flood water.
- Determination of revenue and returns from aquaponics system and
Distillery
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
During the initial stages of the project the community will be involved in the gathering of
information and resources for our project. Resource persons within the community as well as
business places will be involved in the acquiring of the necessary materials and information.
Upon implementation of our project, the community will be sensitized about the project idea
and its benefits. Our project will significantly benefit our school’s dormitory as well as
neighboring communities in the supply of water, vegetables and fishes for consumption. The
possibilities of our project being implemented on a larger scale will also be examined.
List of references
 Alternative energy sources, accessed on 2014-02-04,
www.alternativeenergysources.com
 Aquaculture prospects in Guyana brochure , Ministry of Agriculture,
http://www.agriculture.gov.gy/
 Diamond,Jared. Collaped: How Societies Choose To Fail or Succeed. New York,
NY: Viking press,2005
 Pfeiffer,Dale Allen. ``Eating Fossil Fuels``. The Wilderness Publications. 2004.