BACKGROUND
Jamaica's flourishing tourism industry - and hence health of the
country's economy - are dependent on the quality of Jamaica's coastal
resources, particularly water. Discharges from industry, commercial
establishments, hotels and households have posed a growing threat
to water quality.
TECHNICAL SERVICES
The Jamaica Coastal Water Quality Improvement Project (CWIP) is
a USAID-funded activity designed to protect and improve the environmental
quality of the country's coastal resources. The Project relies on
a community-based program to tackle the problem. In implementing
the project, ARD is working in partnership with national agencies,
national and local NGOs, community groups, and the private sector.
Activities focus in five areas.
- Support community-based initiatives to address environmental
concerns;
- Improve the operation and maintenance of municipal wastewater
management systems;
- Improve environmental practices of industries and commercial
establishments;
- Establish NGO-government partnerships to monitor coastal water
quality; and
- Support improved coordination of coastal zone management activities.
CWIP has supported community-based environmental initiatives in
Negril and Ocho Rios and disbursed $1.25 million in grants to NGOs
and community groups. The project conceptualized and facilitated
the formation of a public participation model for the management
of municipal wastewater facilities. At the same time, coastal communities
established solid waste recycling programs using an Environmental
Management System (EMS) model. A sustainable community-based water
quality-monitoring program has been created. CWIP has also helped
develop coastal zone management policies to meet the requirements
of international regulatory organizations and the government of
Jamaica.
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