Short description of the best practice

This activity was what he called a wetland system, which entailed the construction of a concrete structure approximately 25-30 square feet in area, with a piping system used to transport sewage to the wetland. This wetland operates sort of like a soak away system but it is being used because of the geology of the area. Mr Verneuil   indicated that since the entire Aux Leon area is rock with no capacity for permeation, this wetland system may be the best solution at the moment. (See figure 1)
Figure 1

Location

Aux Leon(Fond D’Or Watershed)

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

3990.0

Estimated population living in the location:

8624.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

The Fond D’Or watershed is the second largest in St. Lucia and comprises
approximately 9860 acres or 3990 hectares. Approximately 23% of the watershed
is under protection - Government Forest Reserves which are located in the upper
watershed. The Fond D’Or watershed is among the seven (7) of the 37
watersheds in St. Lucia that are an important source of water supply. The most
extensive area of natural forest is located along the northern ridge extending
from Dennery Knob towards Au Leon.

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

While much of the land in the watershed is under private land ownership,access to land for residential and economic use remains a key development issue in particular the lands not brought under management control since the
sale of Dennery Factory (former estate acquired by government in 1979 and
• The Fond D’Or Beach area should be preserved strictly for recreation.
Unemployment in the watershed is high especially among the youth and
outside agriculture and the distributive trades; while other sectors are at the
rudimentary stage of development.With increasing population growth and settlement expansion, prime
agricultural land is lost to settlement use.|
Agriculture (cultivation and livestock) is the dominant land use activity within
the Mabouya Valley accounting for almost 777 ha or 1919 acres of land in the
middle and lower watershed areas. Close to 1,124 acres or 12% of the Fond
d’Or River basin was classified as suitable for cultivation (classes I, II and III)
and is under intensive commercial farming.|

Main problems addressed by the best practice

The IWCAM project commissioned a study of sewage disposal systems in the Au Leon community where geology and population are factors that constrain the use of traditional septic and even pit latrines. The study revealed
that in addition to the aforementioned constraints, the inadequate water supply contributed to the poor sewage disposal practices. The use of dry ravines or bushes is the dominant method; however most expressed willingness to use improved alternatives if these are present.|

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

This activity  called a wetland system, which entails the construction of a concrete structure approximately 25-30 square feet in area, with a piping system used to transport sewage to the wetland. This wetland operates sort of like a soak away system but it is being used because of the geology of the area.Since the entire Aux Leon area is rock with no capacity for permeation, this wetland system may be the best solution at the moment,to address ravine/river water pollution problems.
Sewage is diverted from approximately three households, using a series of PVC piping, as seen in figure 1. After construction, wild ginger is planted within the wetland to help absorb the nitrates from the sewage, thus releasing water of a much lower ecoli count into the ravine. The disparity  between the ecoli count before and after entry into the wetland system is quite significant according to Mr.Verneuil,project liason officer.|

Specify the objectives of the best practice

The primary objective of the best practice is to facilitate the improvement of the quality of waste water which is discharged into ravines,streams and rivers within the project area,to create  more favourable environmental conditions for ecosystems and people within the community.|

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Selection of sites to establish demonstration mini-wetland system and facilitate establishment.
Public awareness and sensitisation activities were conducted to involve and help improve on the knowledge base of community members.
Training activities were conducted to increase capacity of the members of the community,in terms of establishing the system.|

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

This activity  which is called a mini wetland system, which entails the construction of a concrete structure approximately 25-30 square feet in area, with a piping system used to transport sewage to the wetland. This wetland operates sort of like a soak away system but it is being used because of the geology of the area. Since the entire Aux Leon area is rock with no capacity for permeation, this wetland system may be the best solution at the moment.
Sewage is diverted from approximately three households, using a series of PVC piping, as seen in figure 1. After construction, wild ginger is planted within the wetland to help absorb the nitrates from the sewage, thus releasing water of a much lower ecoli count into the ravine. The disparity  between the ecoli count before and after entry into the wetland system is quite significant(    ) According to Mr. |
concrete structure approximately 25-30 square feet in area, with a piping system used to transport sewage to the wetland.Sewage is diverted from households, using a series of PVC piping.After construction, wild ginger is planted within the wetland to help absorb the nitrates from the sewage, thus releasing water of a much lower ecoli count into the ravine.|

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

The IWCAM project;Mabouya Valley(Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries)|Castries,Saint Lucia.

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

Ministries of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries.|Ministry of Health|Caribbean Environmental Health Institute(CEHI)|IWCAM Project.|Fond D'or Watershed Management Committee.(FDWMC)|Community of Aux Leon|Ministry of Social Transformation.

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• Programme/project-based initiative

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

The community of Au Leon|(FDWMC) Fond D’Or Watershed Management Committee

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

These stakeholders were involved in brainstorming sessions, identifying the issues involved and working on solutions to address these issues.Consultations were held and meetings and fieldtrips were convened to develop this system.Community members were trained to construct these mini systems and actually were the ones who eventually established them in the field,with supervision being provided by IWCAM project liason officer and other government agencies,ministry of Agriculture and Health.CEHI provided technical assistance in relation to water testing activities.|

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

By means of what?

• Consultation
• Participatory approaches

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

The haphazard development of land, resulting from the absence of a plan framework, poor planning enforcement and squatting, has led to inefficient
and unprogessive settlements that are difficult to regularise and access, for example Au Leon.Sewage issues resulting from poor geology are also
prominen|
After construction, wild ginger is planted within the wetland to help absorb the nitrates from the sewage, thus releasing water of a much lower ecoli count into the ravine. The disparity  between the ecoli count before and after entry into the wetland system is quite significant|
Water quality, adequate supply and a functioning distribution system are
issues of grave concern to the watershed, its people and users.
Contamination of water intakes from human activity and the absence of
laws\policies to protect these critical areas are major weaknesses. |

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

Because of improvement in water quality,the quality of lives of community residents is sure to improve in various respects(Recreation,Health etc.)|
Off site impacts have basically to do with improvement of the quality of water which flow within rivers and streams at the lower watershed region,which is beneficial to the rivarine ecosystems and people within the watershed.|

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

This system, which deals with improvement of water quality flowing in rivers within the watershed,will decrease the levels of Eutrophication, which will be prove essential for the protection and wellbeing of rivarine ecosystems.|

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

No

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

The actual situation which existed within the area,highlighted the very urgent need to address these problems.It was obvious to all stakeholders that something needed to be done.|
The very active Fond d'or Watershed Management Committee and cooperation of the Aux Leon Community.Both groups were very instrumental in the development and establishment of the best practice.
The introduction of the IWCAM project,with available funds.well structured and managed project with dedicated personel.|

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?

• Local
• Sub-national
• National
• Subregional
• Regional

Related to human resources

This system do not require a large quantity of human resources for establishment and maintenance.

Related to financial aspects

The system do not require vast amounts of financial resources to establish and maintain.

Related to technical aspects

The system is not very complicated to establish and can be replicated very easily in other areas.