OECS Launches Small Instream Wetlands Project in Dominica

ROSEAU, Dominica – The St. Lucia-based Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission Tuesday announced it had launched an EC$2.23 million project here aimed at improving wastewater management, reducing environmental contamination, and safeguarding the coastal and marine ecosystems.

It said protecting marine biodiversity involves addressing land-based issues that directly affect our oceans, including the proper disposal and management of grey and black wastewater. Grey water refers to wastewater generated from everyday household activities such as bathing, washing, and cleaning, while black water contains human waste and harmful pathogens and requires more advanced treatment.

The OECS Commission in partnership with the Dominica government and with funding from the European Union (EU) launched the construction phase of small instream wetlands and the installation of septic tanks in Soufrière, a coastal fishing village located on the southwest coast under the BioSPACE Project, an OECS-led EU-funded initiative  aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability and resilience across Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

It said that the multi-million dollar project marks a significant step toward improving wastewater management, reducing environmental contamination, and safeguarding the coastal and marine ecosystems that support livelihoods, fisheries, and tourism in the Soufrière community.

BioSPACE project manager, Norma Cherry-Février, highlighting the importance of the initiative in strengthening biodiversity conservation and climate resilience across OECS member states, said the project is rooted in community engagement and that consultations held in 2023 helped shape both the design and implementation approach.

“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to protecting the ecosystems that sustain our communities,” she noted, adding that improved wastewater treatment will directly benefit coastal and marine resources vital to local livelihoods.

Tourism, International Transport, and Maritime Initiatives Minister, Denise Charles-Pemberton, described the project as a transformative investment in the community’s future. She said that it will significantly reduce the flow of untreated wastewater into Soufrière Bay, helping to preserve marine biodiversity and strengthen the local blue economy.

“This sea… is our gem, it’s our future. When our seas are protected, our fishers can fish, our tour operators can thrive, and our young people can see a future right here at home within the blue economy,” said the parliamentary representative for the area.

“This project will result in improved sanitation and a significant reduction of contaminated water entering the Soufrière Bay, ensuring the protection of our marine biodiversity.”

Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment Minister, Cozier Frederick, reinforced the importance of balancing development with environmental stewardship.

“We have a gift from nature, and we are living in that space, but we have to play our part. This project shows that we can balance development with the protection of our natural resources.”

He said that the project integrates both engineered infrastructure and nature-based solutions, demonstrating how sustainable practices can protect ecosystems while supporting community growth.

“This is about maintaining the integrity of our ecosystems while enabling development,” he stated, urging residents to take collective responsibility for environmental protection and proper waste management.

The project utilises environmentally engineered solutions, including filter bed systems and plant-based biological treatment processes, to naturally treat grey and black water before it reaches coastal areas. It will also involve inspection and upgrading of existing septic systems to reduce pollution entering waterways.

The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation has been working with the OECS BioSPACE team on this initiative and also partnered with the Soufrière Scott’s Head Marine Reserve, the Department of Fisheries, and community stakeholders whose ongoing collaboration is critical to the project’s success.