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cl Caribbean WaterWays
G'F Newsletter of the GEF IWCAM Project
I EF Voume 2, Issue 4 December 2008
EHI Volume 2, Issue 4 December 2008
In this issue:
* Protecting the
Basseterre Valley
Aquifer; An IW-
CAM Approach for
St.Kitts & Nevis
(pgs. 1,2,3)
* Message from
Vincent Sweeney,
RPC (pgs.1, 2)
* Background on the
GEF-IWCAM Pro-
ject (pg.2)
* The Dominican
Republic's Demo
Project ...(pg. 4)
* Launch of the DR's
Demo Project (pg.
5)
* St.Kitts & Nevis
Demo Project
Activities (pg. 6)
* Communities re-
ceive grants in
support of IWCAM
(pg. 6)
* 3rd Project Steer-
ing Committee
Meeting (pg. 7)
* New Project web-
site launched! (pg.
7)
* Caribbean SIDS
preparer for 5th
World Water Fo-
rum (pg. 8)
End-of-year message from
Vincent Sweeney, Regional
Project Coordinator
Dear Colleagues
and Partners,
As we
reflect on the
past year, we are
encouraged by
much that has
been achieved.
2008 saw the\
eventual start-up
of all nine Demonstration Projects,
including those which had been de-
layed due to a number of administra-
tive hurdles. For those which started
late, we were pleased to note the en-
thusiasm and interest in ensuring that
they "catch up" with their partner
demonstration projects. Fortunately
the majority of demonstration projects
are proceeding well and are not ex-
pected to be delayed in 2009 either.
We are very proud and encouraged by
the many on-the-ground activities tak-
ing place in participating countries
which are having a direct impact upon
the lives of people. The improved wa-
ter supply in the Fond D'Or watershed
in St. Lucia, and improved access to
sanitation facilities in Jamaica are two
examples.
Participating countries have
also received training and capacity
building support in communications,
Geographic Information Systems, envi-
ronmental indicators, Community-
based Resource Assessment, Integrated
Water Resources Management
(IWRM), and laboratory analyses, to
(Continued on page 2)
Feature Article:
Protecting the Basseterre Valley Aquifer:
An IWCAM Approach for St. Kitts & Nevis
In November the CNIS with the GEF-IWCAM Project
was given a tour of the St. Kitts & Nevis Demonstration Project
site, the Basseterre
Valley Aquifer, by the
Project Manager, lan
Liburd. As she took in
the rolling landscape,
she was struck by the
beauty of the area.
Hills surround this val-
ley on three sides -
the Olivees Mountain
to the southwest, the
Canada Hills to the i, B e ,h1 ai 1 La ,
northeast, and the
Conaree Hills to the east. They effectively create the basin
which is the aquifer. The valley is approximately 8 square
miles in area and widens to the southeast as it empties into the
Caribbean Sea at Basseterre, capital of St. Kitts.
The Valley, view south to Basseterre The aquifer which
underlies the Basseterre
Valley is a very significant
economic and social asset
-. to the people of St Kitts &
._ Nevis. About 2.5 million
~~~~:.gallons of the daily na-
tional water consumption
of 4 million gallons per day
is provided by this aquifer -
60% of the water consumed in Basseterre!
The Basseterre Valley Aquifer Main Concerns
For many years land use in the Valley remained un-
changed. Until about two years ago, sugar cane cultivation
dominated. This is a densely populated area and development
pressures have resulted in encroachment, threatening the in-
tegrity of the aquifer. Much of the southern third of the Valley is
already developed for commercial, residential and industrial
facilities.
(Continued on page 2)
www.iwcam.org
IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter
name afew areas. Countries also benefited from op-
portunities to promote their project work and learn
from the experiences of others through active partici-
pation in regional and international fora and through
cooperation amongst themselves. The Project Coordi-
nating Unit also actively promoted the IWCAM ap-
proach, including at the very highest levels regionally,
involving Prime Ministers, other government Ministers
and partner agencies and international organizations.
In addition, four issues of the Caribbean Waterways
Newsletter were produced, keeping stakeholders in-
formed of progress being made. Outreach material
produced included a DVD on IWRM, and the project
website was completely redesigned and re-launched in
December.
We look forward to accelerated implementa-
tion in 2009 and anticipate greater communication
amongst participating countries and higher levels of
cooperation. Major upcoming activities include con-
duct of the project's Mid-Term Evaluation, which will
allow for "stock-taking" of where we are and what
we have accomplished. We hope for the fullest coop-
eration of all parties in that process.
On behalf of the GEF-IWCAM Project Coordi-
nating Unit, I wish to reaffirm our commitment to
providing all necessary support to participating coun-
tries in 2009 and wish everyone a fruitful and produc-
tive year.
Vincent Sweeney -
BACKGROUND ON THE GEF-IWCAM
PROJECT:
The Global Environment Facility-funded Integrating Watershed
and CoastalAreas Management in Caribbean Small Island De-
velopment States (GEF-IWCAM) Project was approvedby the
Global Environment Facility (GEF) in May2004. Implementing
agencies are the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP). Executing agencies are the Secretariat ofthe
Cartagena Convention (UNEP-CAR/RCU) and the Caribbean
Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) and the UN Office for
Project Services (UNOPS). The thirteen participating SIDS are:
Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Grenada,
Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and
Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trini-
dad and Tobago. The length of the Project is years and com-
menced in the second quarter of 2005. The Project Coordinating
Unit is located at the CEHI, as agreed by the Implementing and
Executing Agencies and the participating countries.
(Continuedfrom page 1)
This fragile aquifer is threatened by:
Agricultural pollution, domestic (both sewage
and other wastewater) pollution,
Improper land-use and inappropriate develop-
ment planning
Inadequate
management
and control of
water extrac-
tion to ensure
sustainability
Inadequate
protection of
the Valley Igriculur iu ateqerr I idle
area and its
ecosystem functions particularly as they pertain
to the water resource
insufficient control over leakage and wastage,
and
Inappropriate
use of water re-
sources.
As a result
an increased level of
nitrates and other
pollutants have been
I>a/ollion, roll, mcl(hantic' Ifhp found in water sam-
Iaret'd mi the I all/"
ples taken
from the area.
Prevention of
further con-
tamination is
important be-
cause once
contaminated un (m1 mmy Iun111111p 'r'llI
beyond ac- located on the aquifer
ceptable levels it will be
economically and scientifically impossible to restore
the integrity of this critical underground water re-
source.
Establishing a National Park:
The Basseterre Valley Advisory Committee
(BVAC) was appointed, through the Office of the
Prime Minister, in 2002, to examine the feasibility of
establishing a National Park. This Committee
(Continued on page 3)
www.iwcam.org
IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter
(Contmuedfrom page 2)
worked hard to procure technical assistance and fund-
ing. The Government of St. Kitts & Nevis (GOSKN)
eventually secured funding from the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) underthe Integrating Watershed and
Coastal Areas Management Project (IWCAM).
A Memorandum of Agreement between the
GOSKN and UNOPS to engage services in the context
of GEF-IWCAM was signed in 2006. The GEF-IWCAM
Project will finance up to US$530,740 and GOSKN will
co-finance in the sum of US$217,380. The budget also
reflects an 'in-kind' contribution of US$22,145,000 from
GOSKN. A small Project Management Unit was estab-
lished at the beginning of October 2008 in Basseterre.
A Project Steering Committee (PSC) will soon be
established to include representatives from the relevant
government departments, representation from the com-
munity, from at least one relevant NGO, and from the
private sector. It is likely to evolve out of the existing
BVAC, ensuring non-government, stakeholder participa-
tion.
In November 2008 the GOSKN entered into a
contract with Ocean Earth Technologies Consortium
(OET) which will perform the consultancy services re-
lated to the Demonstration Project. In the interim, Cabi-
net has already approved the recommendation to for-
mally declare the lower/coastal area of the Basseterre
Valley a Protected Area towards the establishment of a
National Park.
Objectives of the GEF-IWCAM Demonstration Pro-
ject:
Against this background the St. Kitts & Nevis
Demonstration Project aims to demonstrate proper man-
agement and protection of the Basseterre Valley aquifer
and well-field through a parallel process of:
Mitigation of threats from contaminants.
Protection of the aquifer, well-field and
supportive ecosystem.
Improved user-resource management.
See Box A, pg. 6, for more information on activities.
Expected Outcomes of the Demonstration Project:
SDevelopment of a Water Resource Management
Plan for Basseterre Valley Aquifer.
* Development of the Liamuiga National Park Man-
agement Plan for the Protected Area.
* Designation of a National Park Management Sys-
tem, to include stakeholder consultations on the
preliminary design and management plan, Cabi-
net adoption of legislation to designate the Na-
tional Park, and identification of a formal Manage-
ment Authority.
* Replication of Lessons and Practices through the
submission of a proposed model for future repli-
cation and transfer of best practices developed
locally and throughout the other Caribbean SIDS.
7>-
." '
i. e I:-nonal Par a re .
This unconfined coastal aquifer needs to be pro-
tected through control of activities taking place in the
watershed if it is to be a safe and reliable source of
fresh water in the future. The GEF-IWCAM Demon-
stration Project is a serious collaborative effort to do
this. It looks at Tourism Development and Planning,
among a host of other activities, as part of Integrated
Watershed and Coastal Areas Management. It makes
provision for a fully participatory consultative process
to include all relevant stakeholders throughout its life-
time and beyond.
This
approach is es-
sential if the
Basseterre Val-
ley is to be man-
aged sustainably
and the underly-
ing aquifer is to
be protected for
the sake of fu-
ture generations.
www.iwcam.org
IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter
Background: The Dominican Republic Demonstration Project:
Mitigation of Impacts of Industrial Wastes on the Lower Haina River Basin and
its Coast
"The Haina River is totally contaminated, is considered
one of the most polluted places in the world, and its
population seriously suffers from health issues as a re- 1
sult." -
David Uzuriaga, UNDP Representative,
at the Launch of the GEF-IWCAM Demonstration Project, DR.
I'lh' Iro17 ppt h olctdi lp o'l i'r lhuimco ffii'r. atc reo%
lrm IrII Idhrg iI ;mphedIl ,'ldl,'m,' II
The GEF-IWCAM Demonstration Project's main in-
terventions are in the industrial sector with the implementation
of:
programmes aimed to reduce contamination by develop-
ing recycling and reutilization mechanisms;
a heavy metal contamination survey to provide informa-
The 1 o,,'er tion to guide policy and strategic planning ; and
Haina Ri? er overall integrated management programmes.
The Lower Haina River Basin, site of the Dominican
Republic's Demonstration Project, is one of the main industrial
conglomerations of the country with over one hundred me-
dium to large size industries. These include the main electric-
ity generating plant, the petroleum refinery, and the only vehi-
cle battery factory in the country. The region is highly
contaminated by these industrial activities, as well as the
solid and liquid wastes generated by the communities. At
the same time, the water of the basin is one of the main
potable water sources of the city of Santo Domingo.
[ t ] Ilaina
Industry within the Haina River basin affects the en-
vironment, biological diversity and the welfare of people in the
basin through:
The production of liquid effluent (through the discharge of
water used in the industrial process as well as liquid
chemical contaminants from the industry);
The production of industrial solid wastes (which are in-
adequately handled through a landfill treatment system
which is leaching effluent into the water table);
-_ ._ _,--- __ .. .* Industrial atmospheric emissions (with the high potential
for harmful fall-out of chemicals, particularly heavy met-
... .... ... als).
www.iwcam.org
5 IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter
Launch of the Dominican Republic Demo Project:
Well attended by the industrial sector and other key players
"We have heard things
like Haina is a time bomb, there is
acid rain in Haina, and other chill- .
ing stories related to pollution for :* .
a long time now. This causes us
to reflect and come together with
the community, in a more direct
manner, and set down the right
path-getting to the root of the
problem and considering all envi-
ronmentally beneficial options."
- Maria Alejandra Grullon, President of the industry and Busi-
ness Association of Haina at the Launch of the Demonstra- Children at
tion Project. play in the
S Demo Project
area thev
On 12th November 2008, the Dominican Republic's 7 a...:ii deserve a
Demonstration Project was formally launched before an au- clean environ-
dience which included representatives of the Office of the ment
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources which is
responsible for managing the Project, the Haina Municipal
Syndicate, the National Business Network and the Industry
and Business Association of Haina.
The Demonstration Project Manager is Mercedes The main expected results of the Demo Project are:
Socorro Pantalen Inoa.
a reduction in the contamination emitted by the industrial
sector,
improvements to water quality within the basin, and
the creation of a sustainable management programme for
the hydrographic basin.
The start of the Demonstra-
tion Project has witnessed the
Municipal Government of
Haina's commitment to utiliz-
ing the Project's outputs as a
tool which seeks to counteract
pollution within the municipal-
ity. We are aware that our en-
h, I, !11 I. ,,i vironmental reality is critical;
i, /.,,. ., however we need to be even
more conscientious that the
',I ,'.l ',,,, il, ,I tll ,, ,problem will not be solved by
shedding crocodile tears or by
shirking our responsibilities.
In addition we need not issue
individual convictions for a situation to which we have all
contributed and are all obligated by duty and commitment
to find a viable solution to."
Luis Alberto Concepcion, Haina Municipal Syndicate
www.iwcam.org
6 IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter
Box A:
St. Kitts & Nevis Demonstration
Project Activities
Mitigation of Threals from Conamninanis
* Peview of current agricultural practices, residential
and commercial water disposal and overall land-use in the
Basselerre valley
* Peview of current police, and legislative framework
and recommendations for reform lo encourage approprin
ale land and water resource usage A mechanism for
nionitoring and compliance would be developed
Proleclion o[ Aquifer. Well-field and Supportive Eco-
svslem
* A Survey of [he ecosystem functions natural re-
sources and threats lo the water resource of the
Basseterre Valle, including recommendations on
the re-introduction of native species of plants along
with the e clusion ol undesirable species of plants
and wildlife
* Development of a financial mechanism to encourage
appropriate land and water resource usage ulli-
malel, resulting in behaviour change
Improvements lo Ihe User-Resource Managemenl
Inlerface
" comprehensive h,dro-geological survey olf he Basse-
lerre Valley 8quLfer which includes
* Updated calculation of water budget and sustainable
yield olf he aquiler
* Identification of important recharge zones and sensi-
tive areas
* Water quality monitoring including baseline monitor-
ing for trace organic conanminants
* Surve, of losses and wastages of water resources
between the well- Feld and the laps of consumers
including a review lo options for recover, and recy-
cling of water
Communities receive grants in support of IWCAM
Jamaica's GEF-IWCAM Demo Project is geared towards development
and implementation of a model Watershed Area Management Mechanism
(WAMM) for Eastern Portland that incorporates the lessons and experiences
gained in other Watershed Management Units and Small Island Developing
States. It has disbursed Grants to 12 projects within the Project area which ex-
emplify good IWCAM practice.
rrotection o0 K\ivers & vvaterways
Protection of Mangroves & Marine Re-
sources
Kestoration o1 rivers Kiver iviangrove Dy
Manchioneal Fishing Village
Environmental Monitoring & Enforcement Integrating Community Based Disaster Risk
Assessment by: PEPA
Any other community Project that supports School sanitation by Build Ja., Rural Hill Pri,
IWCAM Fair Prospect Pri, Reach Pri & Infan
Community Solid Waste Management Im- Fruit Tree and Communal Garbage Disposal
provement, Environmentally Sustainable Project by: Priestman's River Citizens Be-
Programmes. nevolent Society
Community Solid waste, Protection of Riv- Restoration, flood mitigation and garbage
ers Waterways, Mangroves and Marine disposal by: Long Bay/ Fair Prospect Citizens
Resources Ass.
Community solid waste, Training & Capac- Hectors River Solid waste Recycle Project
itybuilding by:Hectors River Senior Citizens Group
Community Solid Waste, Protection of Man- Manchioneal CDC Mangroves Resuscitation
groves and Marine Resources and Communal Garbage Project by: Man-
chioneal CDC
Environmental Monitoring, Training & Ca- Drivers River DAC Environmental monitoring
pacity Building, Environmental awareness & Awareness Project by Drivers River DAC
Protection of River and Water ways The Turtle Crawle Rehabilitation Develop-
ment by: Nonsuch Environmental Trust
Training and Capacity Building Fairy Hill Makers Handmade Paper and
Waste Management Project by Fairy Hill
Citizens Ass. & Neighbourhood Watch
Environmentally Sustainable Programme Fruit Tree Crop Production by: Manchioneal
JAS
Environmentally Sustainable Programme Fruit Tree Crop Production by: Hectors JAS
u---.
'CSeasos e s an d est 2www.iwcam.00 rorg 0 t P
www.iwcam.org
7 IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter
3rd Project Steering Committee Meeting
The GEF-IWCAM Third Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting
was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 6 October 2008, immediately preceding
the annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Conference.
As with previous PSC Meetings, the GEF-IWCAM Regional Project
Coordinator presented the draft work plan and budget for the upcoming calen-
dar year (2009) which reviewed all components, upcoming activities, and pro-
ject budget, and it was approved by the Project Steering Committee. The Work
Plan builds on the previous years' activities and includes training, awareness
raising, transfer of lessons learned, support for IWRM planning, and laboratory Isabelle Vanderbeck, TaskManager, GEFProjects
capacity building. in Latin America & the Caribbean addresses the 3rd
PSC meeting.
The issue of sustainability of the IWCAM approach after the end of
the project was discussed at length. It was agreed that any approach to sus-
tainability would need to be varied and flexible. It is foreseen that much more
attention will be devoted to this matter in the second half of the project.
Due to delays in implementation for some Demonstration Projects,
specific milestones were suggested and adopted by the Steering Committee
Meeting. The Project Coordinating Unit is available to assist Demonstration
Projects in meeting these milestones in order to ensure effective execution of
all demonstration projects.
The PSC was informed that the GEF-IWCAM Project will have a Mid-
Term Evaluation in the first quarter of 2009, results of which will guide all future
activities.
SParticipants in the 3rd Project Steering Committee
The PSC Report is available on the GEF-IWCAM website. arpan Meet Committee
Meeting
New GEF- IWCAM website launched!
The GEF-IWCAM Project website has been redesigned to be more user-friendly and better organized. It was introduced at an Inte-
grated Water Resource Management Partnership Forum which took place 8-9 December 2008 in Barbados and which was funded by
the GEF-IWCAM Project. It is a work in progress, as additional resources and features are to be added. Feedback is welcome.
Please contact Donna Spencer at dspencer@cehi.org.lc for more information. The URL remains: www.iwcam.org
GEF Coast
C a,.S ;'Ion
*Searcfl Webste
N-eW
* Maps and GIS
R ... un~,
~ Mdi, ~no~,
Background ond Structure of the GEF IWCAM Project
INTRODUCTION TO GEF-IWCAM
In the Caribbean Small Island Developing States sides) high population densities, combined
with population growth, urbanization and increased development, particularly residential and
tourist resort development, has led to the contamination of underlying aqulfers and surface
water, and deterioration of coastal water quality.
he Project Integrstng Watershed and Coastal Area
n com, (IWCAM) n the Smafl Island Development States
Caribbean, with a value of USD 22 MIllion, was
J q the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in May
ementing agencies are the United Nations
Z Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), Executing agencies are the
Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention (UNEP-CAR/RCU), the
Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) and the United Nations Office of Project
Services (UNOPS).
The thirteen participating SIDS are: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba,
eating WatershE
al Areas Manag
?ar. Small island Develag
www.iwcam.org
S I ll. I urrn=i I . I := .I I R .. Mhe..i lre I ,..,i,. r.r | .. 1 ,
you are here: home
Ed C.nibb-a C.,tai
P.11.fi.n Pr.j.,t (CCPP)
P.I.- ...terng
2. 21 .. lcs
IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter
Caribbean SIDS prepare for
World Water Forum
A Caribbean delegation was invited to participate in
the Water Forum of the Americas (WFA), as part of the prepara-
,il.h,,I J. l, d'iti l I 1. i 4,idiu I ,i ll .*,i, / 4, |
_1III
tions for the World Water Forum, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey in
March 2009. The WFA took place in Iguassu Falls, Brazil, from
November 24 to 25, 2008 and was hosted by the National Water
Authority of Brazil (ANA). The GEF-IWCAM project supported
participation of representatives from the Caribbean, who are
expected to lead the region's representation at the World Water
Forum.
These included the Honourable Dr. Horace Chang,
Minister for Water in Jamaica, Mr. Bernard Ettinoffe, Chairman
of the Caribbean Basin Water Management Programme Inc. and
General Manager of the Dominica Water & Sewerage Company
(DOWASCO), and representatives from GEF-IWCAM Project
Coordinating Unit, UNEP CAR/RCU and CEHI. Also in atten-
dance, as part of the Caribbean delegation were the Permanent
Secretary and the Chief Technical Director, both from the Minis-
try of Water in Jamaica; the Director of the Water Resources
Authority in Jamaica; and a representative of the University of
the West Indies Centre for Resource Management & Environ-
mental Studies (CERMES). Regional partners included GWP-
Caribbean, CEHI, and the OAS.
l GEF
q 4,
The two-day meeting heard brief overviews of the 4
sub-regional reports prepared in advance of the meeting. These
regional reports, which would form the basis for a consolidated
position to be presented by the Americas region to the World
Water Forum (WWF), were critiqued and recommendations for
additions and improvements were made. After the two days, the
meeting, through a series of facilitated discussions and a prior-
ity-setting exercise, eventually reached consensus on the main
issues which the region would present in Istanbul (known as the
Message of Iguassu Falls, MIF).
Of significance to the region was the fact that the chal-
lenges faced by small islands in the Caribbean, in relation to
water management, exacerbated by climate change, was in-
cluded among the priorities of the Americas. This was only made
possible due to the strong lobbying efforts of Caribbean dele-
gates and their emphasis on this topic, as well as insistence that
it be featured prominently. This is even more significant as the
meeting included over 250 persons, and the Caribbean delega-
tion numbered less than 15 persons, including agency represen-
tatives.
Delegates were also treated to a field trip, which in-
cludes two of the World's greatest spectacles Iguassu Falls
and Itaipu Hydroelectric power plant. Iguassu Falls is located
between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and is a major tourist
attraction. The Itaipu Dam and power plant provides all of the
electricity for Paraguay and 20% of the electricity for Brazil. It is
considered one of the engineering marvels of the World.
Itaipu Dam,
Brazil
Participating Country Focal Points, Demonstration Projects and others are invited to submit articles. Please contact
Donna Spencer at dspencer@cehi.org.lc
Contact Information:
IWCAM Project Coordination Unit
P.O. Box 1111, The Morne, Castries, Saint Lucia
Tel: (758)-452-2501/1412; Fax: (758)-453-2721
E-mail: dspencer@cehi.org.lc
www.iwcam.org
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