SABA – The Public Entity of Saba has launched a pilot project aimed at improving rainwater management, erosion control, and environmental monitoring as part of wider efforts to strengthen climate resilience on the island.
The project includes the installation of monitoring equipment at several locations, including the Fort Bay gut, to track rainwater runoff during heavy rainfall. The data will be used to better understand water movement across the landscape and to identify measures that reduce erosion and improve water retention.
Hydrologist Javier Dinten Fernandez of Rijkswaterstaat is supporting the initial phase of implementation during a two-week working visit. His focus includes hands-on training for local staff in the use and maintenance of monitoring systems and erosion control measures.
In collaboration with reforestation efforts, small-scale pilot barriers are also being tested to slow runoff and capture sediment around newly planted areas. The findings will inform possible expansion of successful measures across the island.
The initiative aligns with Saba’s Nature and Environmental Policy Plan and upcoming Climate Plan, both of which prioritize improved water retention, ecosystem restoration, and long-term environmental resilience.
