The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) was pleased to partner with the Government of Grenada, through the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, to host a national workshop in Grenada to build capacity on Integrated Water and Wastewater Management (IWWM).
The two-day hybrid workshop took place on March 14th and 15th, 2023, at the request of the Government of Grenada to sensitise stakeholders from various sectors in wastewater management. The workshop featured a mix of presentations from experts in the field and allowed for great participant engagement over the two-days.
Following a brief opening ceremony, the workshop sessions on day one (1) began with an in-depth introduction to wastewater management by Facilitator, Mrs. Joyce Thomas Peters, also a GWP-C Steering Committee (SC) Member.
Mrs. Thomas Peters provided a very clear and thorough overview of wastewater management, making practical linkages to Grenada.
Mr. Henrique Miranda, Founder and Director of the Better2Earth Group Ltd. (above) delivered an interesting presentation in collaboration with this team member Ms. Kristy Buchanan (below) on innovative technologies for wastewater recycling focusing specifically on the use of glass in wastewater recycling. It is important to highlight that Better2Earth specialises in applying safe and multi-functional porous material “Porous Alpha”, by foaming used glass and providing economical sustainable solutions within a circular economy.
Day one (1) of the workshop concluded with two (2) presentations from Dr. Everson Peters (below), Water Resources Engineer and former University Lecturer. In an interactive session, Dr. Peters engaged participants on a 2017 case study centred on wastewater reuse in the Eastern Caribbean. This was followed by his presentation showing examples of collective action for IWWM; what went right; what went wrong; and what can be learned from it.
The sessions on the second and final day of the workshop were equally engaging. The day began with a representative from the Government of Grenada highlighting the Grenada National Project under the GEF CReW+ Project. The CReW+ Project focuses on implementing integrated water and wastewater solutions for a clean and healthy Caribbean Sea.
This presentation lead seamlessly into the one by Mr. Christopher Corbin, the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat, Caribbean Environment Programme Coordinator, and a GWP-C Technical Committee Member.
Mr. Corbin provided valuable information and context on wastewater management by giving a snapshot of the key wastewater management issues in the Caribbean, focusing on the drivers and pressures. He also covered the areas of wastewater pollution (states and impacts); governance arrangements to improve wastewater management and sanitation, including promoting the use of treated wastewater and biosludge; and implementing solutions for IWWM.
An in-depth presentation on wastewater management and sanitation in Grenada which covered aspects of governance frameworks for wastewater management (national, regional and global) was delivered by Mr. Alphonsus Daniel.
Mr. Daniel is a Grenadian Mechanical, Sanitary and Environmental Engineer with decades of experience. He is also the Managing Director of GWP-C’s Partner, Daniel and Daniel Engineering Inc. based in Grenada.
The workshop was deemed a success based on participants’ feedback. Participants also expressed interest in being part of any follow-up workshops on wastewater management.