Old Public Tank, Lititz

Statement of Significance
The Old Lititz Public Tank is of historical and social significance. Established around 1841, it represents the first public tank to be erected in Jamaica. The Moravians were the first to establish this public water supply to address the needs of their congregants, especially in areas with low rainfall. This practice has since been modelled by the government in establishing community tanks. When the tank at Lititz fell into disuse, the Moravians constructed a new public tank in the community in 1995 in continuation of this rich tradition.

Historical Significance
The ruins of the first public water tank in Jamaica were built at Lititz, around 1841, by the Moravian congregation under the supervision of their minister, Rev. William Prince (Senior, 2003; Unitas of Jamaica, 1998). The Moravians were the first to establish a public water supply in Jamaica by the erection of tanks. The establishment of the water tanks was fueled by the need for water, due to low rainfall, in the parishes where their ministry was concentrated - Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland (Tyson, 2004).
For years the public tank at Lititz was in disuse. It was leaking and had become overrun by bushes. In 2012, the site was brought to the attention of the Global Environment Facility, which, in keeping with its work of promoting capacity building for sustainable land management, agreed to fund the project to resuscitate the tank. Clearing of the land got underway by February 2012, and in March, the project was launched by the then Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Roger Clarke (Serju, 2012). The project was executed by the United Nations Development Programme and implemented by the Forestry Department on behalf of the Government of Jamaica. The National Irrigation Commission was drafted to guide the process, and the Rural Development Authority provided support (Ibid). The scope of work included the repairing of the cracks in the tank, bushing of the premises and removal of debris in the catchment areas, erecting a security fence, installing a solar pump and conveyance system, and designing and installing a gravity drip system (Tomlinson, 2012). On completion of the project, approximately 300 farmers, including some from the neighbouring communities of Savannah, Grazeland, Downs and Stephen’s Run, benefitted from the project, with water pumped on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (Serju, 2013). The project was lauded and seen as a model for unused catchment tanks across the island to be put into operation to facilitate an increase in rainwater harvesting (Tomlinson, 2012). Unfortunately, it seemed as if issues relating to maintenance of the facility were left up in the air, and the tank again fell into disuse.
The community of Lititz is now served by another public tank, which was also erected by the Moravians. This tank was erected in 1995 in continuation of the rich tradition of the first public tank in Jamaica.

Inherent Features
The Lititz public tank is made of lime concrete (D’Aeth, 1897). It is 38 metres (126 feet) long, 3.4 metres (11 feet) deep and varies in width from about 4.3 metres (14 feet) at the bottom and 5.5 metres (18 feet) at the top. It has a capacity of about 499,674 litres (132,000) gallons. The tank has side walls 0.6 metres (two feet) thick and the bottom 0.9 metres (three feet) thick. The catchment area is about 35 metres (115 feet) wide, and the total length of it is approximately 42.7 metres (140 feet).

Identity – Local/National/Regional
The Old Lititz Public Tank is the first of its kind in Jamaica. It is an important relic that has acquired for the community a special sentimental value.

Integrity/Sustainability
After its resuscitation in 2012, the site has once again fallen into disrepair. Nevertheless, much of the original design features remain intact, and other features are salvageable. The tank could once again be put to sustainable use.