Indoor Air Quality Assessment-At the request of the Ministry of Health, St. Lucia, the Institute was part of the technical team assembled to investigate the Indoor Air quality of the Ministry of Education offices.

Sanitary Landfill Monitoring - The Institute has been working with Solid Waste Management Authorities and Ministries of Health in Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines to develop comprehensive programmes for the Monitoring of Sanitary Landfills. This involved the development of monitoring regime as well as training of personnel to conduct landfill monitoring. CEHI supports the monitoring programmes of these countries by providing analytical services.

Training - Carried out a regional training workshop on Biomedical Waste management in the Caribbean November 2002.

Training - Regional Training Workshop on Landfill monitoring conducted in St. Lucia.

Training - Officers from the Ministry of Health in St. Lucia were attached to CEHI's laboratories for training in microbiological techniques.

Pollution Study - Conducted a study on the Impact and Amelioration of Sediment and Agrochemical Pollution on Caribbean Coastal Waters in conjunction with the University of York/Marine Resources Assessment Group. Collected and analyzed tissue, water and sediment samples for pesticides and nutrients.

Technical advice- The institute served on a number of national committees including the National Oil Spill sub-committee of the St. Lucia National Emergency Management Office, the Environmental Management Technical Committee  and Food Products and Food Safety Committee of the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards and the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS) Committee. 

Water Quality Monitoring - Carried out water quality monitoring for the Ministry of Health and St. Lucia Bureau of Standards as part of their monitoring programmes.

Technical Advice - Provided technical advice on the design of an appropriate sewage treatment facility for the Bordelais Correctional Facility.

Training - Conducted a Regional training course in St. Lucia on "Operations and maintenance of Sewage treatment facilities" for representatives from across the region.

Wastewater Facility - Designed wastewater treatment facilities for the abattoir in St. Lucia.

Training - Provided training on the operations and maintenance of sewage treatment plants.

Training - CEHI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Family Affairs and Gender Relations of St Lucia, the Caribbean Development Bank, Pan American Health Organisation, Health Caribbean and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Quebec, hosted a training course in Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA).

The course was part of a planning exercise geared toward the development of a comprehensive, region-wide EHIA programme.

It was designed to develop the skills of health and planning officers and private consultants in the preparation and review of environmental health impact assessments related to both public and private sector projects.

Training - Carried out regional training on converting water quality data into information for decision making.

Water & Waste Evaluation - Evaluation of the effects of industrial waste from a distiller on the marine environment; analysis of bottled water samples for Ministry of Health; analysis of coastal water quality for secondary school Science Fair project; advice on waste water disposal for British navy vessel; provision of Material Safety Data for Ministry of Labour.

Training- Carried out a Regional training workshop in St. Lucia in Environmental Health Impact assessment for 30 persons from all CEHI Member States.

Water Conservation - Review of Water Conservation Practices and Potentials for Tourist Facilities in St. Lucia.

Model Legislation - Reviewed model legislation for the Solid Waste Management Authority Management Authority/technical advice on management St. Lucia - review of model legislation for the Solid Waste Management Authority/technical advice on management of biomedical waste at Victoria Hospital

BASEL- Work began in earnest on the BASEL Inventory of Spent and Outdated Chemicals in the Caribbean Region. The project is being conducted in seven countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

Biomedical Waste - Provided Technical advice on the management of biomedical waste at Victoria Hospital.

Testing- Tested samples for the Ministry of Health and Bureau of Standards as part of their monitoring programme

Water Quality Assessment - Conducted an assessment of the status of drinking water quality in St. Lucia.

Drinking Water Quality- A study of the status of drinking water quality was initiated in St. Lucia. This study was structured to provide information as to the changes which have occurred in selected Caribbean countries in the area of water quality improvement.

Review of Legislation - Review of model legislation for the Solid Waste Management Authority.

Biomedical Waste - Technical advice on management of biomedical waste at Victoria Hospital provided.

Pesticide Monitoring - Carried out a pesticide monitoring project for surface water and sediments to determine the effect of agriculture on Roseau River water quality, St. Lucia.

Industrial Waste - Evaluation of the effects of industrial waste from a distiller on the marine environment; analysis of bottled water samples for Ministry of Health; analysis of coastal water quality for secondary school Science Fair project; advice on waste water disposal for British navy vessel; provision of Material Safety Data for Ministry of Labour

Environmental Impacts - The Ministry of Health, Government of St. Lucia requested assistance to assess the disposal of excreta and liquid waste in two villages on the island's East Coast, and develop recommendations for improvement. This request was formulated into a thesis project for a visiting internship student from Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH) Germany. An assessment was done of the existing conditions with regard to existing facilities and the related human health and environmental impacts

Water Quality Database - Supply of computer equipment to assist in the development of national computerised water quality database.

Training - The Information & Programme Officer provided in-country training to individuals in the manipulation of the quality database software.

Pesticide Monitoring - A pilot pesticide monitoring project was initiated through the ENCORE Project and expanded to a wider national study with assistance through the CEHI/GTZ EHIP.

Conference Attendance - The Institute, through the EHIP, supported the attendance of the National Solid Waste Manager at ReCaribe'97, the Wider Caribbean's first annual Recycling and Waste Reduction Conference, held in Trinidad and Tobago.

Self Help Project - The Institute provided financial support to three communities involved in self-help clean-up campaigns during the year.

Public Lectures - The Institute delivered a series of lectures on "Environmental Problems & Solutions" for a course at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

Training - The Institute trained two government representatives in the "Management of Sanitary Landfills".

Sewage and Industrial Effluent Guidelines - The Institute followed up on policy recommendations related to the adoption and implementation of sewage and industrial effluent guidelines by its Member States.

Water Supply Improvement Project - The Institute continued work with a community group, WASA, and the Government to implement a water supply improvement scheme for the communities of Praslin and Mamiku.

Technical Advice- The Institute provided technical advice to a hotel in St. Lucia for the selection and design of a new wastewater treatment system.

Training- Preparation of a training manual for the Soufriere Comprehensive School was initiated during the year. The teaching sessions initiated during 1996 were continued.

Generation of Water Quality Data - Coastal Water Quality monitoring for the Soufriere Bay, Anse La Liberte, and Canaries Bay was conducted in St. Lucia. River water quality data was also generated for the Soufriere River.

Waste Management - The Institute sponsored the participation of the National Solid Waste Manager at a Workshop on "Port Waste Management", held in Trinidad. It also began to finalize a contract with the Government which involves monitoring of the sanitary landfill to be developed for the north of the island.

The Institute delivered a lecture on waste management to Teacher Trainees for a core course at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

The Institute trained twenty-two St. Lucians, including three Environmental Health Officers, in the "Operation and Maintenance of Waste Water Treatment Plants". As a follow-up to this training, the Institute co-sponsored a competition among local sewage treatment plants and conducted laboratory analyses as part of the judging criteria.

The Institute worked with a community group, WASA , and the Government to implement a water supply improvement scheme for the communities of Praslin and Mamiku.

The Institute provided resource persons and co-chaired the " Regional Seminar on the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes in the Caribbean", hosted by the Government of St. Lucia.

The Instate conducted preliminary investigations into a proposed Water Supply Project at Vieux Sucreic, in conjunction with GTZ/EHIP, at the request of Community Development Officer for the area, Lyndel Simons.

The Institute conducted preliminary investigation at Union Village related to malfunctioning septic tanks at request of the Ministry of Health.

The Institute provided advice to hotel regarding malfunctioning sewage treatment plant.

Information Services - Through the work of the River Surveillance Project, a system utilizing geographic information system (GIS) technology was developed for managing water resources. The various coverages are being given to various agencies in St. Lucia. In addition, the Institute served on the Committee that is looking at the development of GIS in St. Lucia.

Laboratory Services - Regular monitoring of sewage treatment plants in the hotel industry continued. Another major hotel indicated its desire to be included in the monthly monitoring programme. The laboratories supported a competition of sewage treatment plant operators organized by the Ministry of Health.

Waste Management - CEHI, with support from the EHIP, conducted an assessment of the operational status of waste water treatment plants in St. Lucia. A consultant, accompanied by CEHI and Ministry of Health personnel, updated the study conducted in 1992 by CEHI and PAHO and made recommendations for a training programme for sewage treatment plant operators.

CEHI also assisted the Ministry of Health in the evaluation of an Environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed sewage treatment facility at a local hotel and advised on remedial measures at other treatment facilities.

In the communities of Praslin and Mamiku, located along the east coast of St. Lucia, a committee made up of a number of community groups approached the EHIP for assistance with two projects. The contract for the first project, which involve s construction of an additional skip bin for the storage and transportation of solid waste, was negotiated. The community group agreed to provide the labour while CEHI/EHIP agreed to assist in the purchase of the materials.

The second project proposed by the committee in Praslin/Mamiku and receiving consideration by CEHI is a water supply improvement project. This project seeks to improve and extend the public water distribution system into these communities. It will involve the laying of 4" distribution mains, installation of service connections, and construction of a storage tank. CEHI/EHIP will provide technical input into the design of the distribution system and has agreed to advance funds to purchase the pipes. These funds will be reimbursed by the Government of St. Lucia, as part of their contribution to the project. Materials for construction of the concrete storage tank as well as funding for the excavation work will also be provided by EHIP. The community will provide the labour and construction will be supervised by staff from the Water & Sewerage Authority. It is hoped that construction will be completed in 1996.

Information Services - In the first quarter of 1995, the Environmental Health Management Information System was installed in the Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health. Training in the use and operation of the system was conducted for key members of the Division.

The Institute in its desire to improve the management of environmental health information in its Member States, conducted with support from PAHO/CPC, an assessment of the management information system capabilities of the Ministries of Health and the Water Authorities in the above countries.

Parallel to above, an evaluation of the Water and Sanitation Monitoring System (WASAMS) was undertaken. This evaluation identified the reasons for the non-implementation of the system in the targeted countries. An implementation plan was developed and is to be put in place in early 1996 with support from PAHO/CPC.

Laboratory Services - Regular monitoring of sewage treatment plants in the hotel industry continued on a monthly basis throughout the year.

Periodic analyses of sulphate in soil samples were done on behalf of the consulting engineers associated with the Castries - Cul-de-Sac Highway Project.

Analyses of the Cannelles river to determine its suitability as a raw source for potable water was carried out for the proposed Cannelles River Resort Project.

Samples of imported bottled water were periodically checked for their microbiological purity at the request of both the importers and the Ministry of Health.

At the request of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Environment, coastal waters in the north of the island were tested for the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons, following the accidental spillage of light crude oil.

The survey of the microbiological purity of potable water supplies which commenced in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debbie, continued throughout January at the request of the Ministry of Health.

Periodic monitoring of the Rodney Bay wastewater treatment lagoons was carried out on behalf of the Water and Sewerage Authority.

Three members of staff from the Produce Chemist Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, involved with the pesticide pollution monitoring project, received training in aspects of the chemical analysis of water.

Environmental Monitoring - Data sets on sanitary water quality at Anse La Raye Beach, Tou Lounge and Anse Galet in St. Lucia were generated during 1995.

The data generated for Anse La Raye indicated no change in the severe contamination of this beach. Data obtained for Tou Lounge suggested that this beach could be a suitable alternative to the Anse La Raye Beach for recreational purposes. Data generated for Anse Galet indicated moderate contamination although significantly lower than that obtained at Anse La Raye.

Monitoring of the Soufriere River in St. Lucia was initiated during the last week of June 1995. The following parameters were determined: pH, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, E. Coli, faecal coliform, phosphates, nitrates and paraquat. Data generated indicated contamination of the River above acceptable limits set for water used for swimming and/or bathing.

Waste Management - Advisory services were provided to the Ministry of Health in St. Lucia in a continuing effort to improve the solid waste management situation on the island. In addition to follow-up discussions related to the CEHI study completed in 1992, CEHI/EHIP also was asked to assist in the conduct of an EIA for the proposed new sanitary landfill sites for Castries and the north of St. Lucia.

CEHI was able to provide technical assistance to the Moorings Marigot Bay Resort Hotel with the treatment of waste water from their kitchen and washrooms. The assistance with the design of an infiltration system served as a temporary solution to their waste water disposal problems. It is hoped that by early 1995, the proposed Reed Waste Water Treatment System will be constructed as agreed upon in 1993.

CEHI also entered into a formal arrangement with members of the St. Lucia Hotels & Tourism Association related to monitoring of the wastewater discharges from selected hotels. Technical and laboratory services are now continuously provided on a contractual basis to these hotels.

Laboratory Services - A detailed study of the operation of the sewage treatment plant of a major hotel and its impact on surface and coastal water quality was commissioned. Regular monitoring of sewage treatment plants in the hotel industry for a fee was commenced shortly after submission of the report of the study, and following negotiations with the Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association.

The impact on water quality of the discharge of sewage and domestic wastewater into river and coastal waters in the north of the island was also investigated as was the influence of the discharge of effluent from a distillery on the quality of the receiving water.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debbie, a national programme monitoring the quality of pipe borne water was undertaken on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

Environmental Monitoring - The Scientist/Coordinator visited St. Lucia in order to gather information on Water Quality Monitoring in the country. The agencies which participated in this assessment are as follows:

Information gathered included: in-country technical expertise; laboratory facilities; on-going monitoring programmes; potential impacts; water quality regulations; treatment and disinfection; equipment required; training required; data storage, processing and dissemination. Additional information, especially in the area of laboratory equipment is to be provided by some agencies.

The Local Site activities of the ENCORE project included investigation of the contamination of the lower section of the Soufriere River which was possibly leading to fish kills in the near-shore coastal environment in the vicinity of the river mouth. The Local Site activities also involved a look at the Anse La Raye beach, where faecal contamination of the coastal waters which are used for recreational purposes by the local community was of concern.