From October 30 to November 3, 2023, the Caribsan partners shared a joint mission to Cuba.
Continuing this ambitious Caribbean regional cooperation initiative, financed by the European Union (Interreg Caribbean Cooperation Programme) and the French Development Agency (AFD), this visit allowed the partners to share experiences on constructed wetlands. In order to face the challenges of sanitation in the Caribbean, this technology is robust, efficient, while being less expensive and demanding in maintenance than conventional processes. After several installation experiences in Martinique and Guadeloupe, it has proven to be adapted to the tropical environment.
The dialogue around design and installation methods of constructed wetlands focused on the preparation of a pilot in the metropolitan area of Havana (within the area of Pogolotti). With a view to demonstration and multiplication, this station will highlight the relevance of constructed wetlands in Cuba, while carrying out concrete capacity building activities for the benefit of students from the Technical University of Havana (CUJAE), and national operators.
The mission also made it possible to develop a thematic botanic exchange on the species of local tropical plants that are relevant for constructed wetlands in the different islands, with the participation of the Botanical Garden of Cuba, the National Botanic Conservatory of Martinique (CNB), and the Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division of Dominic Island.
The pilot project is led by the National Institute of Water Resources (INRH) of Cuba, national partner of this project carried out in collaboration with the Martinique Water Office (ODE-M), the International Office of Water (OiEau), the Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), the national Water and Sewage Companies of Dominica (DOWASCO) and Saint Lucia (WASCO), as well as the e Caribbean Water & Sewerage Association (CAWASA)
