7. Specific objectives for the SNRE
7.2 Project to restructure the SNRE
We would point out that the urgent and short-term proposals made by the WMO mission (in 2010), apart from participation of the SNRE in the PNAP and PITDD, include:
• Starting to update the national inventory of hydrometric, rainfall measurement and agroclimatology networks and water points (wells, bores, springs);
• Starting to reconstitute the national hydrometric, rainfall and agroclimatology and hydrogeology databases.
7.2.1 Objective H1: Participation of the SNRE in the PNAP and PITDD
With the prospect, in 2-3 years’ time, of the SNRE taking over the PNAP and PITDD networks (regarding the rain gauge station part), it is essential that the SNRE be able to maintain and manage these networks and gather and store the data produced, including for uses other than early warning.
7.2.1.1 Activities:
Activity 1/1: Take part in all field operations for the installation, management and maintenance of the network
Activity 1/2: Recover all data produced by the EWS in the SNRE database, process them and disseminate the information
Activity 1/3: Take part in all training sessions organized by the PNAP 7.2.1.2 Estimate of costs in US dollars
To achieve this there are two possible options:
Option A: In the PNAP there are sufficient funds to finance the field activities and the training of the SNRE staff who will take part in all phases of the project, and the possibility of buying additional equipment.
Option B: There are not sufficient funds for the field activities and the cost of the SNRE taking part over three years would be:
Investment
1 4x4 vehicle* 35,000 Total investment:35,000
Operation for 3 years
Fuel, lubricants and routine maintenance of the vehicle (25,000 km/year)
21,000
Daily allowance (2 officers x 330 days x $70) 46,200
Total operation for 3 years: 67,200 External support
Provided by the PNAP**
Total estimated cost: $102,200
* Needed if the present SNRE vehicle is reassigned to the service provider who is to carry out the installations.
** The training (provided for in the service provider’s contract) would be carried out by the PNAP.
The gauging equipment is provided under the PNAP.
The software for capturing the data supplied by the network, and storing and displaying them, would be provided by the PNAP.
7.2.2 Objective H2: Redesign the Haitian water and rainfall measurement system In June-July the PNAP plans to install 84 rain gauges in the 13 selected priority catchments which are mainly in the south of the island (Departments of Grande Anse, Sud, Sud-ouest and Ouest). Few stations are planned in the central and northern areas.
PITDD on the other hand is to install 10 rain gauges at sites yet to be identified.
Finally the CNM and PITDD between them are to install at least a further 15 weather stations in the short term.
This is a considerable number of devices, well above what would normally be considered necessary and it would not be reasonable to install more. The problem is that they will not be uniformly distributed.
Since it is not possible, for the moment, to change the choice of sites under the PNAP, the SNRE and CNIGS (and the CNM for the synoptic stations) should at least agree to install the 10 rain gauges and the 10 PITDD synoptic stations in areas not covered by the PNAP.
Similarly, the PNAP is to install 40 stage gauges in the same 13 catchments to monitor variations in the water level. Once again, taking account of the objective for these stations, they will not be uniformly distributed over the country. Moreover, most of these stations will supply water levels only, which is not sufficient to establish balances.
It would therefore be appropriate to refurbish some old stations in the areas not covered by the PNAP, as required. These five stations do not really need to transmit in real time.
7.2.2.1 Activities:
Activity 2/1: Seek an agreement with the PITDD (CNIGS) for the siting of the 10 rain gauges (and also with the CNM and CNIGS for the 10 synoptic stations);
Activity 2/2: In cooperation with the potential clients of the data, and on the basis of historical data, find the most appropriate sites for installing the five hydrometric stations;
Activity 2/3: Install, maintain and manage the five hydrometric stations (establishing calibration curves) and the 10 rain gauges of the PITDD; and
Activity 2/4: Store and process the data recovered and disseminate the information.
7.2.2.2 Estimate of costs in US dollars Investment
1 4x4 vehicle 35,000
5 stage gauges* 130,000
Recalibration of the SNRE gauging
equipment 5,000 Total investment: 170,000
Operation for 3 years
Fuel, lubricants and routine maintenance of the vehicle (25,000 km/year)
21,000
Daily allowance (2 officers x 330 days x $70) 46,200
Observers (guards) 5 water stations at
$75/month**
13,500 Total operation for 3 years: 80.700
External support
Activity Type of personnel Man-months Cost
Preparation Engineer 0.5 14,000
Installation and
* Including transport, insurance, installation and spares for five years.
** It is assumed that the PNAP and PITDD will pay directly the observers (guards) of their stations for three years.
*** This technician might come from the CRP of Caribbean-HYCOS in Martinique.
Total estimated cost: $279,700
7.2.3 Objective H3: Installation of agroclimatology stations
The PDNA has identified agriculture as a key sector for socio-economic development in Haiti. The sector is highly dependent on climate and weather conditions. There is currently only one agroclimatology station in Damien and even that one is in poor condition.
It is therefore urgent to install a number of stations of this type in the priority areas where agricultural production is intensifying. At first sight, subject to a more detailed study, one could envisage installing five stations as a first stage. There is no need to provide for remote data transmission as the stations are to be installed on sites managed by MARNDR.
7.2.3.1 Activities
Activity 3/1: Define the siting for the five stations;
Activity 3/2: Install the stations;
Activity 3/3: Management and maintenance of the stations: and
Activity 3/4: Data storage and processing and dissemination of information.
7.2.3.2 Estimate of costs in US dollars Investment
5 agroclimatology stations* 100,000
Spare parts 30,000
Total investment: 130,000 Operation for 3 years
Observers (guards) 5 stations at $75/month** 13.500
Total operation for 3 years: 13.500 External support
Activity Type of personnel Man-months Cost
Installation and
* Including transport, delivery to site and installation.
** Periodic maintenance visits will be carried out by the same teams looking after the water and rain gauge network. There is therefore no need to allow for a dedicated vehicle or additional travel expenses.
*** This technician might come from the CRP of Caribbean-HYCOS in Martinique.
Total estimated cost: $157,500
7.2.4 Objective H4: Rationalize the hydrometric, rainfall and agroclimatology systems
This rationalization depends on an exhaustive inventory of present and old networks in Haiti.
7.2.4.1 Activities
Activity 4/1: Search for and recovery of archives;
Activity 4/2: Make an inventory of the various stations and their characteristics (type, coordinates, altitude, operating period, equipment, personnel, condition, interest, potential clients for information, etc.). This activity will require investigative field missions; and
Activity 4/3: Prepare a network rationalization plan.
7.2.4.2 Estimate of costs in US dollars Investment
None*
Operation for 3 years
Consumables 10,000 Total operation for 3 years: 10,000
External support
Activity Type of personnel Man-months Cost
Preparation and launch of inventory**
Hydrology engineer 0.5 14,000
Total external support: 14,000
* The SNRE already has the necessary computer and office equipment. The field investigations can be carried out during missions under the previous objectives.
** This mission can be combined with the planned restructuring of the Haitian water and rain gauge network (Objective 2).
Total estimated cost: $24,000
7.2.5 Objective H5: Reconstitution of national hydrometric, rainfall and agroclimatology databases.
There are many historical data in Haiti but the databases are incomplete, dispersed and in many cases use different and often incompatible systems. It is therefore extremely difficult to use historical data, for example to prepare risk maps. This objective should take advantage of the expertise of the CNIGS in relation to the preparation of geospatial databases and the production of decision-support documents. It should also take account of the activities and needs of the CNM (see CNM objective M2, activity 2/2).
7.2.5.1 Activities
Activity 5/1: Search for and recovery of archives;
Activity 5/2: Entry of archives not as yet computerized;
Activity 5/3: Selection of a system enabling the SNRE to set up a national database (BDN) of hydrology, hydrogeology, climatology and agro climatology information in consultation with the CNIGS and CNM;
Activity 5/4: Installation of and input to the BDN; and
Activity 5/5: Production of information (yearbooks, statistics, etc.).
7.2.5.2 Estimate of costs in US dollars Investment
Computer system dedicated to the BND (server, 2 workstations,
2 colour printers, 1 flatbed scanner, etc.) * 20,000 Multistation database software* * p.m.
Total investment: 20,000 Operation for 3 years
Consumables 10,000 Total operation for 3 years: 10,000
External support
Activity Type of personnel Man-months Cost
Preparation and
Total external support: 42,000
* Including installation of local area network.
** We would point out here that the Hydromet software developed by the CNR and IRD under Oracle may be used free of charge in the context of the Caribbean-HYCOS project (WMO-IRD) in which Haiti participates.
*** This engineer might come from the CRP of Caribbean-HYCOS in Martinique.
Total estimated cost: $72,000
7.2.6 Objective H6: Preparations for re-establishing the piezometric monitoring system There are not at present any systematic measurement campaigns on this network which in the 1990s included about a hundred piezometers. There is a prerequisite to consideration of setting up a new network for monitoring ground water (quantity and quality) in Haiti: a national inventory of water points (INPE). Only once this inventory has been made will it then be possible to define an optimum piezometric network and evaluate its cost. However, the inventory of the whole country will take 2-3 years to complete. It is therefore more realistic to consider conducting this inventory on a few priority aquifers (Plaine du Cul de Sac, Nord Ouest?) as a demonstration and training operation.
7.2.6.1 Activities
Activity 6/1: Selection of priority aquifers;
Activity 6/2: Fieldwork by SNRE staff;
Activity 6/3: Diagnosis of the condition of the main aquifers studied; and Activity 6/4: Proposal for a piezometric monitoring network.
7.2.6.2 Estimate of costs in US dollars Investment
1 4x4 vehicle 35,000
Various measuring and topographic surveying equipment, still camera, etc. 10,000
1 portable computer and dedicated software 2,000
Total investment: 47,000 Operation for 3 years
Fuel, lubricants and routine maintenance of the vehicle (25,000 km/year) 21,000
Daily allowance (2 officers x 330 days x $70) 46,200
Total operation for 3 years: 67,200 External support
Activity Type of personnel Man-months Cost
Preparation and launch of inventory**
Hydrology engineer 0.5 14,000
Training Hydrology engineer 0.5 14,000
Network diagnosis and proposals
Hydrology engineer 0.5 14,000
Total external support: 42,000
Total estimated cost: $156,200
7.2.7 Objective H7: Upgrade the skills of SNRE staff
We would point out that the average age of the present SNRE staff is 50, that the only technician responsible for maintaining the equipment learned on the job, that there is a deficit of engineers and that the low level of activity for several years is an aggravating factor. There will therefore be a need to upgrade their skills, and to recruit and train younger personnel who are more familiar with electronics and computers.
7.2.7.1 Activities:
Activity 7/1: Training on new PNAP equipment (installation, maintenance, management, data recovery). Will in principle be carried out under the PNAP.
Activity 7/2: Training on new SNRE equipment (rain gauges, stage gauges, agroclimatology stations.
Activity 7/3: Training on the conduct of the INPE Activity 7/4: Training on the BDN
Activity 7/5: Training on the products to be prepared and disseminated.
7.2.7.2 Estimate of costs in US dollars
Training costs have been incorporated into the above estimates. They would amount to some $50-60,000 over three years for training courses in Haiti.
New recruits are also likely to require training to obtain qualifications. These training courses could be run for the technicians at the CRP of Caribbean-HYCOS in Martinique (cost per officer for a week’s training course: $1,500 to $2,000) and for engineers in a French-speaking country at an estimated cost of $4,000 a week per officer.
The cost of training new recruits over three years would therefore amount to some
$350,000.
7.3 “Normal” operation of the SNRE: Staff, vehicles, premises and operating budget It is obviously assumed below that the SNRE will continue to operate in the three domains of water and rainfall measurement (climatology being the preserve of the CNM), agroclimatology and hydrogeology. The issue of the water analysis laboratory is discussed below.
In order to take full advantage of the SNRE project and to prepare to take over the networks from the PNAP and PITDD, the service should have 21 staff as follows:
• Management: 1 engineer;
• Hydrology and rainfall measurement: 1 engineer and 4 technicians;
• Agroclimatology: 1 engineer and 2 technicians;
• Hydrogeology: 1 engineer and 4 technicians;
• IT: 1 engineer and 2 technicians;
• Equipment maintenance: 2 technicians; and
• Administration: 2 general secretaries.
It should have the use of four vehicles (including three 4x4s).
It should be housed in premises of some 200 m² and have access to a storeroom measuring about 50-100 m².
The annual operating budget in US dollars, excluding staff salaries, should be approximately:
• Fuel, lubricants and routine maintenance of the vehicles (25,000 km/year): 7,000
• Maintenance of equipment and office supplies: 4,000
• Electricity, water, internet access, etc.: 5,000
• Daily allowances for missions (110 days x 6 officers x $70): 46,200
• Unforeseen items 5,000
Total annual operating budget: 67,200
Based on the figures provided by the Head of the SNRE, salaries for the staff shown above would amount to about $132,000 a year.
7.4 Issue of the SNRE laboratory
Traditionally the SNRE laboratory worked for hydrology and hydrogeology. While there clearly has to be at least one reference laboratory for analysing water in Haiti, it does not necessarily have to be located at the SNRE.
A decision should be taken quickly as the minimum equipment to be installed would cost about $30,000, appropriate training would have to be provided at a cost of nearly $4,000 and the following staff be recruited: 1 engineer and 2 laboratory technicians.