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CARIBBEAN
CURRENTS
Volume 6, Number 4
October 1998
EPA/220/N-97-001
Welcome...
...to CARIBBEAN CURRENTS, Volume Six, Number Four. This newsletter is
edited by INFOTERRA/USA in its capacity as the Regional Service Centre
(RSC) for INFOTERRA National Focal Points (NFPs) in the English and French-
speaking Caribbean. Although the CURRENTS is assembled at INFOTERRA/
USA, the content belongs to you, the readers. You are encouraged to send in
any questions, comments, problems, or interesting issues relevant to the Region
for inclusion in the CURRENTS. Please see the Guidelines for Contributions on
page 7 for more information.
Each issue will feature a Directory of NFPs in the Region so that anyone with
international environmental questions can contact their nearest resource. Please
feel free to contact one another as well as your RSC for assistance or materials.
Please don't hesitate to share CARIBBEAN CURRENTS with your friends and
colleagues, and to make copies as needed. The Currents should serve as an
informational forum for anyone who lives, works, or is involved in environmental
issues in the English and French-speaking Caribbean Region.
Water Quality
This issue's topic is water quality. Good water quality is an essential element to promoting
good health in a community. Without access to water suitable for consumption, the spread
of water-borne diseases is inevitable. Two resources essential to consistently providing
clean water to a community include funding and organizational support. This issue
presents the challenges faced by Antigua and Barbuda and Haiti.
The next issue of CARIBBEAN CURRENTS will focus on coastal zone management.
If you have any comments on this topic, or would like to contribute a short article or have a
resources guide to share, please submit your contribution following the guidelines on page
6, as we would like to include it in the next or a future issue of CURRENTS. Please feel
free to fax, write to, or call the RSC with any questions or comments you have. Thank you
for your assistance.
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Water and Tourism: The Antigan-
Barbudan Context
by
Caril T. Sebastian,
Environment Officer
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment
Antigua, West Indies
As the main industry of Antigua and Barbuda, tourism has provided the financial resources for
infrastructure development and the enhancement of social services. Despite these positive
aspects of tourism, however, there are a few negative impacts which have prompted development
of a strategic plan for tourism in Antigua and Barbuda. Under this plan, administration of tourism
would involve participation of all public sector agencies: essentially, an holistic approach. The
success of this methodology depends on the association of tourism with the "core" disciplines
of health, education, infrastructure, and finance. Plans for the sustainable use of natural
resources would require special focus, with the issue of water management being a major
component. In order to successfully embark upon water management for a sustainable tourism
industry in Antigua and Barbuda, stringent guidelines for administration of the resource are
important. At present, a cross-sectoral approach to management of resources is common. For
example, the Ministry of Agriculture has authority to construct water catchments, while the
Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) is responsible for water supply, and therefore has some
jurisdiction
over the said catchments. APUA also tests microbial content of potable water at strategic points,
although testing of bodies of freshwater is not carried out (APUA Engineering Unit, personal
comment).
Water management in Antigua and Barbuda already involves some collaboration between
ministries, but in order to make execution of projects even more effective in future it is necessary
to refine guidelines for communication between agencies and to establish work plans for
respective projects. These plans would incorporate all relevant ministries, providing each with
explicit instructions, and thus guaranteeing a most efficient execution of projects. These
activities are applicable to the management of nearshore bathing waters, and potable water. A
successful tourism industry demands that each of these resources be given keen attention.
NEARSHORE WATERS
Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda participate in activities which impact on nearshore
waters: watersports, sailing, recreational diving, swimming, and snorkeling. As a result,
shoreline systems are placed under a considerable amount of stress, and natural processes of
rehabilitation are impeded. The nearshore waters of Antigua and Barbuda are subjected to
pollution from hotel activities: flow of wastewater into the sea, as well as that of the pesticides
and fertilizers applied to hotel lawns and gardens.
The difficulty arises from three factors: IGNORANCE of alternatives, NO APPARENT
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INCENTIVE for responsible practice in the tourism industry, and INEFFECTIVE penalties
for punishing polluters. Adequate legislative support is imperative. The laws of Antigua
and Barbuda do make allowance for preservation of coastal areas (Antigua and Barbuda
Consolidated Index of Statutes and Subsidiary Legislation to 1 January 1997), but the
laws need to be updated to include more modern contexts.
Truly sustainable use of coastal resources must involve consultation with all stakeholders,
establishment of guidelines for resource use, and harsh penalties for abuse of resources.
In order to establish appropriate penalties, various factors would have to be considered:
The types of pollution common to Antigua and Barbuda, and the resulting extent
of damage to the environment
the sources of pollution;
whether alternative technologies are available to the culprits; and
how best to adapt the polluter pays principle to the Antigua-Barbuda situation
"WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE." ONE NEEDS A DROP TO DRINK!
Potable water is another important consideration in the issue of "water management for
sustainable tourism." The following are noteworthy points:
tourism is a service industry;
this service should include consistent supplies of potable water;
the average visitor uses as much as ten (10) times the amount of water as a resident
uses
Antigua and Barbuda experiences low levels of rainfall
In order to maintain a viable tourism industry, Antigua and Barbuda must ensure that the
QUALITY, and QUANTITY of potable water are both satisfactory. Maintaining water
supply is quite expensive, as groundwater supplies are limited. At certain times, in fact,
up to eighty (80) percent of the demand for potable water is satisfied by the process of
desalination, a very expensive undertaking. Immediate plans for water management in
Antigua and Barbuda must explore activities which reduce water use. Also, reuse and
recycling options must be considered. The initial expense of a recycling project, for
example, would definitely be compensated for by gains in the longer term.
The advantages of the actions stated above would be far reaching, accumulating
environmental, and financial benefits, and satisfying the demands of more aware,
demanding visitors. Further, because of the competitive nature of the tourism industry,
and the importance of natural resources to the industry, immediate action is necessary.
Antigua and Barbuda would do well to explore the dual process of direct policy and
decisive action for a newer, better approach to water management for sustainable
tourism.
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Water Quality in Haiti: Opportunities &
Barriers
by
Mike Turvey, US EPA Region VII and
April Wright, INFOTERRA/USA
With a population of nearly 7 million, limited economic growth and resources, and severe
infrastructure problems, Haiti remains vulnerable to environmental degradation and
critical health problems. Along with overpopulation of fertile lands, soil erosion, and
deforestation, unsanitary water supplies prevail.
The absence of sufficient wastewater treatment systems encourages the perpetuation of
the transmission of water-borne diseases such as malaria, diarrhea and typhoid fever. In
one agricultural area of Haiti, water delivered from canals to the rice fields is also used
for bathing, washing clothes, watering animals and for drinking and cooking.
Drilling for ground water supplies and building water piping systems are viable solutions
to the problem of clean sources of water. For example, in an area of southern Haiti, where
a private organization has drilled and maintained wells, there have been noticeable
improvements in the general health of the area's residents.
Although the market for water projects in Haiti is not restrained by strict environmental
regulations, maintaining water quality projects in Haiti is difficult because of limited
financial resources. Projects implemented by private organizations are not sustainable.
There may, therefore, be several small projects occurring for specific amounts of time
which cannot be continued once an organizationfulfills its commitment. For example, one
private nongovernment organization conducted water testing in a few communities and
provided training for the operation of a water drilling rig. With the shortage of funding, the
project was suspended. In another instance, the successful construction of a water piping
system suffered setbacks because of depleted funds.
Nongovernment organizations (NGOs), nonprofit organizations, foreign governments
and private entities continue their efforts to improve the water quality in Haiti. While viable
technologies make this possible, sustaining these projects is difficult due to economic
limitations.
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INTERNET SITES ON WATER QUALITY
A few of many sources of electronic information on water quality
US EPA OFFICE OF WATER
http://www.epa.gov/ow
This site provides links to US water legislation, policies and programs as well as conferences and
publications on water quality issues.
US EPA ENVIRONMENTAL TEST METHODS AND GUIDELINES
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/Standards.html
These sites provide links to water quality test methods.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY WATER QUALITY INFORMATION CENTER
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic
This site provides links to water quality information resources.
WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
http://www.wef.org/
This site provides news and legislative information on water-related issues along with links to federal,
state, and provincial government sites and state and regional water quality organizations.
WATER ONLINE NEWSLETTER
http://www.wateronline.com
This site, updated daily, is a source for news and analysis on water-related issues, information on
products andindustry resources.
INTERAMERICAN WATER RESOURCES NETWORK
http://www.iwrn.ces.fau.edu
This organization, affiliated with the Organization of American States promotes the exchange of water
resources
management information throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
WATER INFORMATION PROGRAM
http://www.waterinfo.org/lstsrv.html
This site provides a list of water-related listserves and newsgroups as well as links to water-related
organizations and websites.
NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION
http://www.h2o-ngwa.org
This site provides information on Association publications and events.
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FREE US EPA PUBLICATIONS ON WATER QUALITY
Office of Ground Water & Drinking Water Publications EPA 81OB96001
Office of Wastewater Management Catalog of Publications. EPA 832B97005
Catalog of Publications: Office of Science & Technology (water quality documents) EPA 820B97001
Office of Wetlands, Oceans & Watersheds 1998 Publications List EPA 840B98001
Guide for Conducting Contaminant Source Inventories for Public Drinking Water Supplies. EPA
570991033
Manual of Small Public Water Supply Systems EPA 570991003
Drinking Water Standard Setting: Question & Answer Primer. EPA 811K94001
Safe Drinking Water Act: Pocket Guide to the Requirements for the Operators of Small Water Systems
EPA810K93001
Introduction to Water Quality Standards EPA 823B95004
Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Cost Analysis EPA 816R97013
What Progress in Imporving Water Quality? EPA 840A93001
Consumer Education Guide: The Regulation of Drinking Water under the Safe Drinking Water Act EPA
570K90024
Guide to Federal Water Quality Programs & Information EPA 230B93001.
These publications are available from the National Center for Environmental Publications and Information
(NCEPI):
NCEPI
US Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242-2419
USA
Telephone: (513) 489-8190
Fax:(513)489-8695
Orders take 2-3 weeks to process.
HOTLINES
The following EPA hotline provides information about water quality issues.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
US EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Fax: (202) 260-8072
E-mail: hotline-sdwa@epamail.epa.gov
Hours: 9:00am-5:30pm (EST)
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Current Conferences
Water Quality
October 28, 1998 - Water Supply Issues fora Sustainable 21st Century, Seattle,
Washington. Contact: Interstate Council on Water Policy, 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20004; telephone: (202) 842-0621; fax: (202) 785-5277.
November 4-5,1998 -- NGWA Animal Feeding Operations and Ground Water: Issues &
Impacts, St. Louis, Missouri, Contact the National Ground Water Association, Dr. Dennis
Goldman, Science Education Council, 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, Ohio 43081; E-mail:
dgoldm@ngwa.org.
November 12-15, 1998 ~ Bringing Ground Water to Life. Anaheim, California, Contact the
Groundwater Foundation P.O. Box 22558 Lincoln, Nebraska 68542-2258; telephone: (402)
434-2740; E-mail: info@groundwater.org.
INDUSTRY JOURNALS
Water & Environment International (ISSN 0969-9775) - covers water pollution & treatment from an environment perspective.
Water Newsletter (\SSN 0043-1273) - Covers water supply, waste disposal, conservation & pollution.
Water Research (ISSN 0043-1354) - Covers ground, marine, & fresh water pollution & water resources management.
Water Supply (ISSN 0735-1917)-Trade publication of the International Water Supply Association.
Water Week (No ISSN) - Covers news & analysis of drinking water issues.
Water International (ISSN 0250-8060) - News about InterAmerican Water Resources Network and reports on water-related
issues.
Guidelines for Contributions to CARIBBEAN CURRENTS
Any organization or individual operating or involved in the English and French-speaking Caribbean Region is
welcome to contribute to the newsletter. Contributions should be addressed to:
Carribean Currents Coordinator
INFOTERRA/USA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters Library, 3404
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
UNITED STATES
Telephone: (202) 260-5917; Fax: (202)260-3923; E-mail: library-infoterra@epamail.epa.gov
Please note that submissions should meet the following criteria:
• They should be relevant to environmental issues
• They must be of interest to or directly involve the Region
• Ttiey must not endorse or recommend any product or commercial service, explicitly or implicitly
• They must be brief-under 250 words; Bulletin Board requests should be under 100 words
• They must be received by the posted deadline (see below)
Please feel free to contact the CARIBBEAN CURRENTS coordinator if you are interested in submitting a longer
article. You should contact the coordinator to discuss your topic and any size or content restrictions
beforehand. Be aware that once your article is submitted, it is subject to editing as needed. Final decisions
on editing and inclusion of any contributions are left to the INFOTERRA/USA Manager. Please contact
INFOTERRA/USA using the address above to contribute any comments, questions, problems, or ideas.
DEADLINE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO Vol. 6, No. 5: December 8,1998
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Welcome to The CARIBBEAN CURRENTS
Bulletin Board
Each issue, we will publish questions or concerns of interest to CURRENTS
readers. Anyone who has materials or information that they are seeking
or that they feel will be helpful should feel free to contribute. We will post
queries and offerings of general interest on the Bulletin Board. You may
respond by contacting the reader who has placed the item, or the RSC.
Bulletin Board
Water Quality
Organizations
International Association on Water
Quality
1 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H9BT England
Telephone: 71 222 3848
Fax: 71 2331197
Water Environment Federation
601 Wythe Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-1994
Telephone: (703) 684-2452
Fax: (703) 684-2492
E-mail: techinq@wef.org (technical
research questions)
National Groundwater Association
601 Dempsey Road
Westerville, Ohio 43081
Telephone: (614) 898-7791
Fax:(614)898-7786
Internet: http://www.h2o-ngwa.org/
SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS
8th Annual International Children's
Environmental Painting Contest
UNEP and the Foundation for Global
Peace and Environment (FGPE) in
Japan are accepting paintings from
children ages 6-15 worldwide between
September and December 1998. The
theme is "Preserve the Beautiful
Oceans, Skies and Forests for the 21 st
Century."
For further contest information contact:
Mr. Theodore Oben, UNEP Children &
Youth Focal Point, UNEP Headquarters
P.O. Box 30552
Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: (254-2) 623262
Fax: (254-2) 623692
E-mail: theodore.oben@unep.org
Caribbean Currents is available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/earlink1/currents/
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About the NFP Directory
This directory reflects changes and additions to the INFOTERRA Directory of National Focal Points
distributed by INFOTERRA/PAC, dated January 1997. Please check this information to verify that it
is correct and up-to-date. If you have any changes or corrections, please notify the RSC as soon as
possible. We will be happy to relay the information to the PAC.
NFP DIRECTORY
Mrs. Candia Williams
Conservation Officer II
Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment
Queen Elizabeth Highway
St. John's
ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES
Telephone: (268)462-4625 FAX: (268)462-2836
Mrs. Lynn Holowesko
The Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology Commission
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box CB 10980
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Telephone: (242)327-4691 FAX: (242) 327-4626
Mrs. Atheline Mayers
Permanent Secretary (Environment)
Ministry of Health and the Environment
Sir, Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road
St. Michael, BARBADOS
Telephone: (246)431-7680 FAX: (246)437-8859
E-mail: envdivn@caribsurf.com
Jaime Jeffery Villanueva
Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Princess Margaret Drive, P.O. Box 148
Belize City
BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA
Telephone: 501-2-44552 FAX: 501-2-32983
Mr. Ashton Lugay
Forestry and Wildlife Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Botanical Gardens
Roseau
DOMINICA, WEST INDIES
Telephone: (767) 448-2401, ext. 417
7999
FAX: (767)448-
Mr. Bhoonath Birbal
Institute of Applied Science & Technology
Research Assistant, Information Unit
P.O. Box 101050, University Campus, Turkeyen
Greater Georgetown
GUYANA
Telephone: (592-22) 4213/4215/4218
FAX: 592-22-4229
M. Dalberg Claude
Ministers de I'Agriculture et des Ressources
Naturelles et du Developpement Rural
P.O. Box 1441
Port-au-Prince
HAITI
Telephone: 509-1-21867 FAX: 509-1-23599
Ms. Yolanda N. Mittoo
Natural Resources Conservation Authority
53 1/2 Molynes Road
P.O. Box 305
Kingston 10
JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
Telephone: (876) 923-5155/5125 FAX: (876)923-
5070 E-mail: nrca@igc.apc.org
Mr. Leonard Muggins
Environmental and Development Officer, Planning Unit
Charlestown, Nevis
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
Telephone: (869) 469-5521 FAX: (869) 469-5485
Mrs. Vanesta Moses-Felix
Government Documentalist
Ministry of Planning, Development and Environment
National Documentation Center
P.O. Box 709
Castries
ST. LUCIA, WEST INDIES
Telephone: (758)452-2611 FAX: (758)452-2506
E-mail: LCDOC@ISIS.ORG.LC
Regional Service Centre (RSC):
Emma J. McNamara
INFOTERRA/USA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters Library, 3404
401 M Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460
UNITED STATES
Telephone: (202)260-5917 FAX: (202)260-3923
E-mail: library-infoterra@epamail.epa.gov
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