The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Caribbean Division is launching a multi-country campaign to bring awareness to issues surrounding wastewater management in the Dominican Republic, Grenada and Jamaica.
The campaign will be launched on Wednesday, 19 February during a virtual ceremony at 10 am EST, 11 am ET.
Honourable Kerryne James, Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, will deliver the feature address at the launch. Dr Rob Brumbaugh, Executive Director of TNC Caribbean, and Dr Elizabeth Shaver, Project Manager at TNC Caribbean will both bring remarks.
During the event, TNC Caribbean will unveil an animation video, which will form the centrepiece of the awareness campaign.
This campaign seeks to enhance public awareness and promote solutions for sustainable wastewater treatment to protect public health, marine ecosystems, and local economies under the slogan “Protect our waters, protect our future.”
The campaign will highlight practical solutions, including proper wastewater treatment and nature-based solutions, including greywater reuse, to protect water resources and safeguard public health.
“Many times, we don’t realise the effects of untreated wastewater on both human health and the health of the environment,” said Dr Shaver, Coral Conservation Programme Manager for TNC Caribbean. “By improving wastewater treatment and promoting options like greywater reuse and nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands, we can protect our natural resources, reduce health risks, and strengthen local communities.”
To better understand these challenges, TNC conducted surveys in selected communities across the 3 countries. The findings, along with expert recommendations, helped shape a targeted strategy to encourage responsible wastewater management.
Dr Brumbaugh, Executive Director of TNC Caribbean, emphasised that: “Wastewater pollution is a major yet often overlooked environmental threat in the Caribbean — and one with real economic consequences. Through the regional wastewater campaign, we aim to promote awareness and action at different levels — from individuals to tourism and construction businesses — to implement solutions that safeguard local waters and marine life, and the businesses and communities that depend on them.”
Across the Caribbean, unequal infrastructure development has led to inconsistent wastewater treatment. Poor disposal of black water (sewage) and greywater (household, industrial, and agricultural waste) threatens drinking water supplies, coastal ecosystems, and industries like tourism and fishing.
TNC
