In a landmark moment for Grenada’s sustainable development journey, the Ministry of Health, the National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa), and the Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF) have united to inaugurate a groundbreaking Wastewater Treatment and Recycling Project for Princess Alice Hospital in Mirabeau, St Andrew.
Initiated through a tripartite contract signing on Friday, 26 April 2024, this pilot project harnesses Activated Filtration Media (AFM) technology to convert wastewater from Princess Alice Hospital to a quality usable for agricultural production. This initiative holds particular promise, especially as nearby farms contend with severe water scarcity during the dry season. Signing on behalf of WINDREF was Director, Dr Calum Macpherson, Rhonda Jones, Permanent Secretary on behalf of the Ministry of Health, and Terrence Smith, Acting General Manager, on behalf of Nawasa.
Project Manager Dr Lindonne Telesford representing WINDREF, emphasised during the launch that this initiative is poised to transform the environmental landscape in the area of the Princess Alice Hospital in Mirabeau. She underscored, “This project encompasses not only the enhancement of environmental conditions but also endeavours to bolster the economic prospects of the local community. It encompasses conservation efforts and a climate change adaptation strategy, advocating for the repurposing of wastewater instead of its disposal. With water production dwindling to 80-90% during the dry season, our primary objective is to also provide support to local farmers while fostering a healthy and pollution-free environment in the vicinity of the hospital.”
Through this project, treated water will be distributed to neighbouring farms to support community-based agriculture production, thus enhancing livelihoods and bolstering food security in rural communities. Additionally, the recycled water may also be utilised in community facilities for non-potable uses, depending on availability.
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), through its Basic Needs Trust Fund Programme (BNTF) and (WINDREF) are collaborating with Nawasa and the Ministry of Health and will serve as the executing and implementing agencies for this EC$1 million transformative initiative.
Nawasa’s Acting General Manager Terrence Smith highlighted the project’s innovative blend of new and traditional technologies. This initiative involves replacing two dysfunctional septic tanks at the hospital with a state-of-the-art system that incorporates aeration. Notably, the system features a pioneering filter utilising recycled glass, a technology already successfully deployed in other developing countries. Remarkably, this marks the first-ever implementation of such technology in the Caribbean region.
Rhonda Jones, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, expressed the ministry’s pride in being a collaborative partner in this endeavour. She underscored the satisfaction derived from witnessing the execution of strategic policies and highlighted the positive impacts. Jones also articulated excitement about the innovative opportunities this initiative brings, noting its alignment with the Government’s key priorities of climate resilience and economic development.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Isaac Bhagwan embraced the initiative, recognising its critical importance, especially in addressing challenges faced by farmers during the dry season. He emphasised the significant enhancement this project will bring to agricultural practices, particularly through the value-added reuse of wastewater for irrigation purposes.
This ground-breaking project is expected to yield multiple benefits, including increased agriculture production, improved household income, reduced environmental pollution from wastewater, and enhanced water security.
The overarching objective of this project is to alleviate poverty in low-income vulnerable communities by enhancing access to quality education and training, water and sanitation, and livelihood enhancement services. The beneficiaries of this project encompass farmers and residents in the Mirabeau community, as well as health workers and patients at Princess Alice Hospital. This partnership underscores Grenada’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental resilience, and inclusive growth.
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