Saint Lucia, along with other regional territories, is tackling the Caribbean’s challenging water issues, exacerbated by climate change and natural hazards.
In line with this effort, the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO), Saint Lucia’s leading water utility, is currently participating in the CARIBSAN Technical Forum in Martinique, from February 2 to 5. This gathering brings together regional and international partners focused on implementing Nature-Based Solutions for wastewater management.
This initiative is a crucial step in Saint Lucia’s journey toward sustainable sanitation, emphasizing the use of Constructed Wetland technology to meet the region’s environmental challenges. The forum promotes technical collaboration among experts from Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Cuba, as well as partners from Martinique and Guadeloupe.
A key area of discussion will be the optimization of planted filters, which utilize specialized tropical plants to naturally purify wastewater. By reviewing progress on regional demonstration sites and sharing operational data, the forum aims to ensure that Saint Lucia’s infrastructure is both technically robust and resilient to the Caribbean climate’s unique challenges, such as tropical storms and sensitivity of coastal ecosystems to nutrient loads.
This collaboration is particularly relevant for the modernization of the Black Bay wastewater system. Currently, the community relies on an aging network that often fails to perform adequately, resulting in the discharge of poorly treated effluent into the Ravine Michel and surrounding coastal areas.
The new Constructed Wetland system at Black Bay replicates natural filtration processes, presenting a climate-resilient alternative that is less vulnerable to mechanical failures during power outages or extreme weather events. By producing high-quality treated effluent, this system helps reduce nutrient runoff, safeguarding the island’s coral reefs and marine biodiversity—critical assets for Saint Lucia’s blue economy and public health.
As WASCO aligns its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6), this initiative transcends mere infrastructure enhancement. It signifies a shift toward a circular water economy. The insights gained from the Technical Forum will inform the final design and long-term management of the Black Bay pilot, serving as a model for expanding eco-friendly sanitation technologies throughout the island.
Through this regional partnership, WASCO remains committed to leading sustainable utility management, ensuring that Saint Lucia’s water and wastewater sectors progress in harmony with the environment.
Background :
The Caribbean Cooperation for Wastewater Treatment Inspired by Natural Heritage (CARIBSAN) project was officially inaugurated in September 2021 as a flagship regional initiative. Co-funded by the European Union through the INTERREG Caraïbes program and the French Development Agency (AFD), the project builds on years of successful wetland technology implementation in the French West Indies.
Since its inception, WASCO has been a cornerstone partner, collaborating closely with the Martinique Water Office (ODE) and the Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association (CAWASA) to adapt these “green” technologies to the OECS context.
Following a successful initial phase focused on feasibility studies and professional training for over 200 Caribbean experts, the project is now entering a pivotal construction phase. The Black Bay facility will be Saint Lucia’s first large-scale nature-based wastewater treatment plant, serving as a vital demonstration of sustainable technology in the region.