People and the Sea

A Study of Coastal Livelihoods in Laborie, St. Lucia Project Document No. 5

A survey of perceptions of water quality and baseline data on the level and distribution of bacterial contamination in Laborie Bay, St. Lucia

G. Hutchinson

January 2002

Caribbean Natural Resources Institute

This report is a product of a research project aimed at testing and developing tools, methods and approaches critical to the sustainable development of coastal communities in the Caribbean and other parts of the world. The project, called People and the Sea: a Study of Coastal Livelihoods in Laborie, St. Lucia, is implemented by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) in collaboration with the Laborie Development Planning Committee (LDPC), the Department of Fisheries in the Government of St. Lucia, and a number of governmental and community organisations. People and the Sea is funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) under its Natural Resources Systems Programme, and receives technical assistance from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex in the UK. The primary focus of this initiative is on testing and developing specific tools and methods in participatory planning, institutional design and sustainable use. People and the Sea therefore tests, develops, refines and documents methods that aim at increasing effective participation of stakeholders in all stages of planning and management. It also explores and documents technologies and management tools which can enhance the social and economic benefits derived from the sustainable use of coastal resources, and particularly from the reef fishery, sea urchin harvesting, seaweed cultivation and heritage tourism. At the same time, the project will help to evaluate the impact of participation on the sustainability of resource use and on the livelihoods of people, by identifying and monitoring concrete linkages between institutional and technological change on the one hand, and the well-being of both the people and the reefs on the other. At the end of the project, results will be analysed, documented and disseminated for the benefit of resource managers and policy makers within and outside the Caribbean region. This publication is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DFID. For more information on People and the Sea, contact: Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), New Dock Road, Box 383, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, tel: 758.454.6060, fax: 758. 454.5188. E-mail: canari@candw.lc, or Laborie Development Planning Committee, c/o Laborie Boys Primary School, Citrus Grove, Laborie, St. Lucia. E-mail: lbp_sch@candw.lc. This document should be cited as Hutchinson, G. 2001. A survey of perceptions of water quality, and baseline data on the level and distribution of bacterial contamination, in Laborie Bay, St. Lucia. CANARI LWI Project Document no. 5. CANARI Technical Report no. 301:10 pp. Keywords: St. Lucia, Laborie, coastal pollution, bacteria, water quality.

A survey of perceptions of water quality, and baseline data on the level and distribution of bacterial contamination, in Laborie Bay, St. Lucia. Gem Hutchinson1
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Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London

Background Water quality in Laborie Bay has been of some concern to the community for quite a while. This has especially been a concern to the fishermen because if water quality is poor it may affect the reefs that are a resource to them, as well as to many of the people living in the village, whether directly or indirectly. A survey in the form of a questionnaire was carried out as a baseline study to get the peoples views on the issues surrounding water quality. The aim was to find out whether they believed the water to be polluted and if so whether it was dangerous, to find out the sources of any existing pollution, and to identify what could be done and who should take up the responsibility of dealing with any possible pollution problems. No data were available on actual levels of any type of pollution in the Bay. A baseline study was therefore conducted focusing on levels of bacterial contamination at a number of stations in the Laborie Bay and adjacent bays. The aim of the tests was to find out whether the water was actually polluted and what were the possible causes or sources of this pollution. The survey of perceptions Allan Smith, Yves Renard and Gem Hutchinson prepared the questionnaire for the survey. One hundred and two questionnaires were completed with residents in the area surrounding the Bay during the 13th and 14th of August 2001. The survey was carried out in an informal setting. Of the 102 people who were interviewed, 37 were female and 65 were male. The age distribution is shown below. Age category Child Adolescent Adult Senior citizen Results The results are shown as the percentage of the sample giving each response, rounded to the nearest whole number. Number of respondents 3 21 60 18

Question 1. How clean is the water in Laborie Bay? Not quite clean Not clean at all Very clean 50% 30% 20%

Question 2. If it is not clean, how long has it been like this? 0 9 years 10 19 years 20 29 years > 30 years 16% 26% 31% 1%

Question 3. If it is not clean, do you think it is dangerous to people? Yes No Maybe 47% 30% 23%

Question 4. Where do you think is most polluted? Labatwi Everywhere Market (fish market) to Labatwi Playing field to Labatwi Near the market (only) Anba Koko 46% 7% 6% 5% 2% 1%

Question 5. What could be the main causes of this pollution? Faecal contamination (human and animal) Improper garbage disposal Ravine / drains / fresh water sources Heavy rains (especially during the hurricane season) Lack of public toilet facilities Cleaning of fish on beach (remains left on 32% 16% 13% 6% 5% 5%
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shore or thrown into the sea) Water from septic tanks / sewers People living in area Rough seas Silt Development Stagnant water Some kind of gel Building of highway Unclogging ravines by removing soil through digging Burying / disposing of dead animals on or off shore Water from households (soapy water etc.) Fibreglass boats Chemicals getting into water (from farms and other industries) Dont know much about the beach Question 6. What should be done about it? Provide public facilities (24 hr services / regular cleaning) Educate people (about hazards and effects of polluted water) Clean the beach regularly Proper garbage disposal Law enforcement (uplift those already in place, place fines, put up signs) Provide bins near beach Monitor beach, some kind of security Fix & clean gutters / drains Nothing can be done about it Dont know Dispose of fish remains properly Proper sewers Place all animal pens in one area where waste can be dealt with properly Stop people from using beach Lifeguards Water channeled into a waste treatment plant Designate no bathing areas Build concrete steps in ravines Need for environmentalists

5% 4% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

24% 15% 15% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 5% 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

Question 7. Who should do it? Government The people / community Laborie Village Council District Representative Ministry of Health People who care about the beach / concerned citizens Department of Fisheries National Conservation Authority Water Quality Tests The tests carried out in the Laborie Bay were for any evidence of bacterial contamination. The water was tested for thermo-tolerant faecal coliform bacteria. These bacteria are a good indicator sewaegr that has entered the water, potentially increasing the risk of diseases. These bacteria (E. coli) are naturally found in the digestive system of warm-blooded animals and are harmless but their presence at high concentrations is an indication of sewage pollution. Thermo-tolerant coliform bacteria were chosen because they include non-specific faecal indicators. Faecal coliforms are one of the six microbiological indicators used as criteria for setting bathing water standards. The current standards used by most Caribbean counties (including St. Lucia) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency is 200 CFU (colony forming units) per100ml of water, with a limit of 10% of the values exceeding 400CFU/100ml of water. The table below gives examples of water quality criteria for bathing water. Region / Source Barbados Colombia Cuba E. E. C [2] E. P. A [4] Jamaica Mexico Puerto Rico Faecal Coliforms (CFU/100ml) [1] 200 <200 <200 80% < 100; 95% < 2000 [3] 200; 90% < 400 [5] 200 200; 90% < 400 <200 Enterococci (CFU/100ml) ---90% < 100 [3] 35 [6] --35 [6] 39% 26% 24% 7% 1% 1% 1% 1%

Table 1 Review of Regional Water Quality Criteria, Bathing Waters (Fresh & Saline) [1] C. F. U Colony Forming Units [2] E. E. C European Economic Community [3] Guide and mandatory limits respectively [4] E. P. A Environmental Protection Agency (USA) [5] Quality Criteria for Water, 1976

[6] Fresh Water Criteria, Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria-1986. EPA 440/5-84 002 January, 1986. (Report of CEPOL, 1990) Methods Nine points were chosen along the shoreline as shown in Figure 1. Sources of fresh water runoff are also shown. Two replicate water samples were taken at each point and were tested using an OXFAM-DELAGUA portable water testing kit. Sample analysis procedure for thermo-tolerant (faecal) coliforms: One absorbent culture pad was placed in each petri dish using the absorbent pad dispenser Enough culture medium was poured to soak pad and leave a slight excess to prevent drying of the pad during incubation The tip of the tweezers was sterilized using an open flame The plastic cover of the sterile filtration apparatus was removed and a sterile membrane filter (0.45m) was placed on the filtration base. The funnel and collar were replaced immediately to avoid contamination A 10ml water sample was poured into the filter funnel using a mechanical pipette. To ensure that all the water was filtered a vacuum pump was used. The membrane was removed from the filtration base and placed in a prepared petri dish. The lid of the petri dish was replaced and labeled Petri dishes were placed in carrier and put into the incubator pot for incubation at 44oC for 14 16 hrs Yellow colonies (only) that had formed on the membrane filter were counted and the result multiplied by 10 to give a count per 100ml of seawater. The sample cup and filtration apparatus had to be sterilized with formaldehyde gas between samples to avoid cross contamination. This was done by pouring a few drops of methanol into the sample cup and setting it alight. Methanol was allowed to burn for a few seconds and then filtration apparatus was placed over the cup while it was still alight. The apparatus was kept that way for 15 minutes before processing the next sample. Salinity at each station determined using a refractometer. Results The data from the analyses are shown in Appendix 1. When compared with the water quality standards for bathing water used by St. Lucia and the EPA (i.e. 200 CFU/100ml of water) the results from Laborie Bay indicate that it is polluted by sewage, with some stations showing very much higher bacterial counts. From these results it appears that stations 3, 4 and 5 in the area from the playing field to Labatwi are the most polluted by coliform bacteria. These results confirm the findings of the survey of perceptions in which most people believed this to be the most polluted area in the Bay.
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The tests were carried out from April to September 2001. This included a dry season and a wet season, which allowed comparison between the two seasons. Results show that the bacterial levels increased with the amount of rainfall. During the drier months of April and early June, bacterial counts were low and in some cases nil. However from late June to August, levels rose significantly implying a relationship between the bacterial counts and rainfall. This is to be expected given the very high counts found in the water entering the bay via drains (see below). There was also concern as to whether this problem of faecal contamination was solely a shoreline problem or whether it occurred throughout the bay. Sampling was carried out at stations further out in the Bay (10 12, 13 15, Figure 1) and results indicate that bacterial levels decline with increasing distance from shore. Fresh Water Sources The fresh water sources consist mainly of domestic wastewaters, with a number of drains running through the village and eventually ending up in the sea. Domestic wastewaters: Toilet flushing (black waters) Showers, wash basins, kitchens and laundry (grey waters) Institutions schools, works places, police station Commercial sites restaurants, offices, laundromats, guesthoues Cottage / small domestic industries car workshops etc. Sewage The two main types of toilets being used are flush toilets and pit latrines. Although flush toilets are the most common, sewage only receives preliminary and primary treatment. The reason for such limited treatment is due to the use of septic tanks. Septic tanks have been an effective method for collecting, treating and disposing of waste for quite a long time especially for rural and suburban homes. The Laborie community is developing at a fast rate and becoming more populated. This means that the number of homes will increase which automatically increases the number of septic tanks. The septic tank being used is the Two-Chamber Septic tank with Upflow Filter. In some areas, the outlet may lead to a manhole where water collects and slowly goes through pipes surrounded by gravel, which helps purify water before it gets into surface waters. The water from the manhole could also flow into an open joint field system where water slowly gets into the soil via perforated pipes. With the septic tank system, treatment is limited; therefore the water getting into the ground and eventually into surface waters is polluted. The Laborie village is situated on sloping land and most of the surface water flows straight into the sea. When surface waters flowing into the sea were tested, there were too many bacteria colonies (1000s) per culture to get a proper count.

Possible Effects of this Pollution On reefs The distribution of the bacterial levels shown in the test results corresponds to the reef status in the bay. Those reefs closer to shore are covered in algae while those further out are comparatively healthy, indicating the effects of nutrient pollution close to shore. The presence of thermo-tolerant faecal coliform bacteria indicate faecal pollution in the same area. Faecal pollution may be linked to high levels of nitrates present in the water which in turn leads to eutrophication resulting in the growth of algae on the reefs. If pollution should spread throughout the bay, it is likely that all the reefs will be affected. This poses as a threat to the people who are dependent on the reefs as a means of survival whether directly or indirectly. It can also be a problem for any future projects where the reefs could be used as a tourist attraction. On health Generally, pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes can be found in recreational waters. These microbes could come from a number of sources such as sewage effluents, bathers and as a result of various land uses (farming, industry, livestock) as well as those occurring naturally in the water. Such a mixture could pose as a threat to a bathers health. Infection by pathogenic bacteria could lead to disease. One of the common effects is enteric illness such as self-limiting gastroenteritis. Eye, ear, nose and throat infections are also likely to be acquired through bathing in polluted water. Although there has been no solid evidence for a relationship between skin disease and exposure to pollutes water in the study area, when carrying out the questionnaire survey some people claimed that they break out in rashes after using the sea. Conclusion Baseline water quality analysis confirms the popular perception that parts of Laborie Bay are badly polluted. Bacterial contamination frequently exceeds acceptable levels for bathing waters. The stations used in this baseline will be re-sampled periodically during 2002. At the same time a public awareness campaign will be implemented focusing on water quality issues, and disseminating the results of the analyses. A post-campaign survey of perceptions will be conducted. The results of the surveys and the ongoing monitoring will be analysed to study how increased awareness of, and access to, information on the status, causes and potential impacts of water pollution contributes to a change in behaviour, and to identify the processes by which these changes occur.

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Appendix 1 Salinity (as practical salinity units = parts per 1000) and abundance of thermo-tolerant coliform bacteria (as colony forming units per 100ml seawater) at stations 1 - 15 in Laborie Bay.

Stn 1 Date 5 Apr 01 17 Apr 01 1 Jun 01 22 Jun 01 27 Jun 01 4 Jul 01 11 Jul 01 18 Jul 01 25 Jul 01 38 35 34 35 35 34 34 So/oo 38 CFU 0 0 0 0 930 0 55 170 40 37 35 35 35 33 34 34

Stn 2 So/oo CFU 0 0 0 0 725 95 40 145 35 So/o

o

Stn 3 CFU 0 95 0 315 3235 1240 1290 860 6105

Stn 4 So/oo 37 36 38 35 35 35 34 34 35 CFU 10 175 0 5 1270 1215 1915 420 3330

Stn 5 So/oo 37 36 38 35 35 35 36 34 35 CFU 85 315 0 50 360 165 195 55 775 37 35 35 35 36 34 35

Stn 6 So/oo 37 CFU 3280 5 0 0 620 35 150 0 335 37 36 35 36 36 34 35

Stn 7 So/oo CFU 0 0 0 0 1295 30 590 5 240 35 35 36 35 34 36

Stn 8 So/oo 37 CFU 155 0 0 0 120 10 25 15 120 36 35 36 36 35 36

Stn 9 So/oo 37 CFU 0 0 0 5 70 5 10 10 20

37 36 37 35 35 35 35 33 35

Stn 10 Date 31 Aug 01 7 Sep 01 So/oo 34 34 CFU 990 5

Stn 11 So/oo 34 34 CFU 15 785

Stn 12 So/oo 34 34 CFU 5 795

Stn 13 So/oo 35 35 CFU 25 4

Stn 14 So/oo 35 35 CFU 25 0

Stn 15 So/oo 35 35 CFU 0 0

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