DISASTER VULNERABILITY REDUCTION PROJECT (DVRP) NEWSLETTER
RESILIENCE
Treatment Ponds (background) in Gros-Islet.
S aint Lucia has for decades suffered from the
lack of an adequate management plan for
wastewater. In most parts of the island, industrial
wastewater is either partially treated and dis-
charged into a natural water course or untreated
and discharged into open drains.
In fact, there is inadequate wastewater manage-
ment in most communities. For its part, the Cas-
tries Sewage System serves as a collection system
with no treatment, resulting in raw sewage being
dumped directly into the Castries Harbour. Gros-
Islet however, uses a series of wastewater treat-
ment ponds prior to discharge into the Atlantic
Ocean via the Trou Salle River.
The mandate to provide wastewater services is-
land-wide belongs to the Water and Sewerage
Company (WASCO). Due to capacity issues, the
Company has been unable to establish a proper
wastewater management strategy.
The lack of a comprehensive wastewater manage-
ment plan, leads to extremely negative conse-
quences. Poor sewage treatment and disposal can
result in high bacterial levels in coastal areas,
often near villages and towns, causing severe
health and environmental problems and affecting
the local population and marine life. Indiscrimi-
nate disposal of wastewater can also contrib-
ute to the over saturation of soils making it
more susceptible to land slippage.
July - September, 2015
Volume 2, Issue 3
From L-R: Representatives of ECOPSIS, Ministry of
Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology,
and FDL Consult Inc., Saint Lucia.
Under the Disaster Vulnerable Reduction Project,
DVRP, a contract has been signed paving the way
to reduce the country’s vulnerability to the effects
of climate change through the development of a
national wastewater policy and management stra-
tegic plan to guide the collection, treatment and
disposal of wastewater island-wide.
Integral to the National Wastewater Management
Strategic Plan is training of staff from relevant
agencies, such as the WRMA and Forestry Depart-
ment, in the procedures associated with water-
shed management planning. It is therefore ex-
pected that the following are integrated into the
developed watershed management plan:
 Current land use and recommended land man-
agement/administration in the upper, middle
and lower watershed areas;
 A review of the current practice and potential
for buffer zones, conservation setbacks, or
other measures for protection of natural
Cont’d on page 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Choc Bridge A New Approach To Building For The Future ….……2
Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Students Complete Field Work
For Structural Assessment Survey ……………….……………………..…3
Marchand Residents To Benefit Under The Disaster Vulnerability
Reduction Project …………………………...……………………….……..4
New Energy Efficient Blocks For Choiseul Secondary Under The
Disaster Vulnerability Reductiion Project ………………………………5
High Level Government Officials Receive Information on Climate
T
and partial day counts. The data was used to calcu-
he existing Choc Bridge was constructed over
late volume of traffic on a daily basis and traffic
20 years ago. The current structure compris-
loading. Further, intrusive ground investigations
es five (5) elliptical, flat-bottomed corrugated met-
were undertaken to ascertain the geotechnical
al culverts, each of which is approximately 5m
properties of the subsoil beneath the supports of
wide at the base. Reinforced concrete walls encase
the proposed bridge.
the culverts while the voids between the culverts
and the walls are filled with densely compacted fill Results of hydrological assessments confirmed the
material. adequacy of the bridge span selected and aided in
conducting the
One of two criti-
scour analysis and
cal bridges along
relevant designs.
the Castries–Gros
Qualitative and
-Islet Highway,
quantitative anal-
the Choc Bridge is
yses of various
located in a grow-
bridge types were
ing recreational-
conducted to de-
commercial cen-
termine the most
tre and a hub for
feasible option for
commuters in the
the site. It took
North of Saint
into account vari-
Lucia. The pas-
ous weighted crite-
sage of Hurricane
ria including cost,
Tomas (Tomas)
constructability,
in 2010 resulted
maintenance and
in significant
performance.
damage to the
existing bridge. A feasibility study
Choc Bridge failure during Hurricane Tomas was also conduct-
As part of a long-
ed to determine the best-suited alignment option
term response to the new traffic dilemma and the
for the proposed bridge, so as to improve comfort
growing concerns of climate change, the Ministry
of motorists bound for Gros-Islet and Castries at
of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport com-
entry/exit points of the Choc roundabout. It took
missioned FDL Consult Inc. to provide detailed de-
into account inconveniences expected during con-
signs for a new, more climate resilient bridge. This
struction, as well as the long-term benefits ex-
new structure will be required to meet the project-
pected upon completion. This type of bridge con-
ed increase in traffic demand of the north and be
struction is gaining popularity throughout the
capable of maintaining the integrity of all its com-
world due to its simplicity and efficiency.
ponents during natural disasters, such as powerful
weather events like Hurricane Tomas.
The recommended design comprises two, 30 -
metre long double span composite bridges to
replace the structurally damaged corrugated ellip-
tical (5) piped crossing at Choc. Data obtained from
topographic surveys, traffic counts and a geotech-
nical investigation, served as input parameters for
various components of the design including the
hydrological/hydraulic assessment, geotechnical
analysis and structural design.
Traffic surveys were also conducted over a contin-
uous 7-day period using a combination of full day
The Choc Bridge-The Future
2
T
Structural Assessment Survey. The students benefit-
he Structural Assessment Survey is one of three
ted from training in geo-referencing technology
(3) surveys being undertaken to provide invalua-
provided by World Bank officials. Using tablets they
ble information leading to the launch of the Climate
were able to capture, store, and share data whilst in
Adaptation Financing Facility-CAFF. As a part of a
the field.
systematic approach to gathering information for
formulating the CAFF, 1500 households have been The use of electronic devices in surveys is on the rise,
surveyed. The final survey, which will soon and the training received will provide the students
commence, is the Business Demand Survey. with a head-start in this area. The survey content
also provided the students with in-field practical
The CAFF’s main goal is to provide loans at conces-
exposure to concepts learnt in the classroom.
sional interest rates to Saint Lucian households and
businesses to undertake risk reduction measures Reports emanating from the field indicates that the
considering that we live in an era of climate change. majority of the students performed exceedingly
well. Growing up in the smart phone era is a plus,
In a deliberate attempt at capacity building, twenty
and the students were at ease with the technology.
six (26) students from the Sir Arthur Lewis Commu-
nity College, SALCC, were selected to carry out the Conducting the survey also provided students with
the opportunity to discover new places and meet
people from all over the island.
Many of the students found the long distances
between some of the chosen households to be chal-
lenging. Having to return to households more than
once and coping with the attitude of some house-
holders were also issues that strengthened the stu-
dents capacity to deal with issues they are likely to
confront in the world of work and in life in general.
The fieldwork—which has been completed—
provided information on the structural integrity of
homes, vis-a-vis their ability to withstand climate-
Students obtained first-hand training in utilising geo- induced natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
referencing technology

CONTRACT SIGNED FOR A NATIONAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ST. LUCIA

habitat especially in forest and riparian areas, watershed;

and how changes in land management could
affect these areas;
 Current and future water demand and recom-
mendations for demand management based on
(1) capacity of national provider to supply pota-
ble water and (2) climate change effects;
 Analysis of natural hazards that affect the water-
shed such as slope instabilities, flooding, coastal
erosion etc.
 Listing of strategies to augment potable water
supply within the watershed especially during
times of emergency
 Effects on rivers and coastal areas due to dis-
charge or introduction of waste and pollutants
(point and non-point sources) within the
 Analysis of the positive and negative social and
environmental effects of proposed changes in
forest management, land use, access, conserva-
tion and preservation of ecosystems and natural
habitat, and recommendations for social and en-
vironmental safeguards;
 Challenges and opportunities associated with
emerging issues such as salt water intrusion and
reduced water availability due to climate change
effects.
The contract was signed on September 23, 2015,
between the Ministry of Sustainable Development,
Energy, Science and Technology, and the Joint Ven-
ture ECOPSIS, Switzerland, and FDL Consult Inc,
Saint Lucia.
3
 MARCHAND RESIDENTS TOTO BENEFIT UNDER THE
DISASTER VULNERABILITY REDUCTION PROJECT (DVRP)
O ne of the components of the Dis-
aster Vulnerability Reduction
Project, DVRP, supports structural and
non-structural flood and landslide risk
reduction interventions and climate
adaptation measures to improve Saint
Lucia’s resilience against current and
future climatic shocks. Additionally,
the component would finance the re-
construction of critical infrastructure
damaged during the December 2013
flooding, using the ‘build back better’
approach. Activities would also
address other potential risks (e.g. seis-
mic) and would ensure that financed
works are generally disaster resilient.
To this end, the Marchand River Wall
has been identified as one such na-
Google imagery: Project area and length considered for stabilization tional asset for strengthening.
The River flows through a densely populated/highly urbanized area in the city of Castries. The decision
was taken to provide assistance to this area in order to help the residents protect their properties and
homes by implementing measures to lessen the effects of flooding. Infrastructural works identified will
involve critical reinforcement to the existing structures and approximately 800m of new riverbank con-
struction assisted by drainage structures to withstand future heavy rainfall events. The scope of works
starts at the Human Resource Development Centre in Entrepot and ends behind Cadasse Bakery near the
Marchand Bridge.
Two major site visits were undertaken by the design team responsible for this component. They were
done to identify the most critical locations in need of new construction and those in need of repair.
Important observations were made on the current conditions of the site. Damage to existing walls and
possible access points were noted.
Engineers also got the opportunity to
speak with the residents and gain
knowledge on the river dynamics.
Properties which would potentially
be at risk or which may become
affected by the construction of the
retaining walls were also identified.
For the entire project, 16 packages of
work have been identified. These
works consist of the construction of
10 rubble walls, underpinning of two Google imagery: Project area and length considered for stabilization
(2) rubble walls, construction of two works.
(2) concrete retaining walls and the
construction of 2 drains (one cascade
and one box drain).
The project is expected to commence
Engineers tour along the Marchand River bank
in mid-2016.

4
C onstructed in 1971, the Choiseul Secondary School is located in the small fishing village of Choiseul,
south west of the island. It is accessed directly from the South West Coast Road. Over the last forty
years the number of blocks has increased from two (2) to five (5).
Following alarming vibrations witnessed in Blocks “B” and “C”, questions were raised on the structural
integrity of the buildings and thus, the Ministry of Education and Culture commissioned a structural
assessment of the buildings in June, 2011.
The completed structural assessment
concluded that the two blocks, “B” and
“C”, were structurally unsafe and under
extreme loading and catastrophic col-
lapse was possible. It was recommend-
ed that the two blocks be reconstructed
as retrofitting to increase their service
life was too expensive and would result
in lengthy disruption to the school’s
normal operations.
In rebuilding the new blocks, environ-
mental and social safeguards are being
considered in synchronization with
Word Bank guidelines and will take
New look for Blocks B and C.
into account public health, safety, and
the general welfare of the occupants of the new infrastructure.
In keeping with the fundamental principles underpinning the DVRP, that is, to “build back better” and
to give high consideration to energy efficiency and water conservation, optimal use of natural lighting
and ventilation, and rainwater harvesting are key features of the design layout.
A dual water supply/distribution system is proposed to allow for rainwater to be used for flushing
water closets and irrigation of the school’s garden, while the potable water supply can be used for the
water closets and other plumbing fixtures, including the laboratories.
Solar power will be incorporated in the structures to facilitate school operations and given that the
buildings will serve as emergency shelters. This will be achieved through the use of solar panels
placed on the roof of each block.
In an era of climate change, it is expected that the new blocks, “B” and “C,” will be more resilient to
future natural disasters and models for other such structures.

ADOPT ENERGY
ENERGY--SAVING HABITS
 Unplug your electronics when not in use. To make it easier, use a power strip. Even when turned off,
items like your television, computer and cellphone charger still sip power.
 Dry your clothes outside whenever possible.
 Defrost your refrigerator and freezer regularly.

5
During tropical storms, many bridges collapse not because they can’t facilitate the amount of
water passing under the structure, but because indiscriminate garbage disposal forces the
water to back up behind the bridge, creating great pressure on the structure under-mining
the structural integrity of the bridge. Proper garbage disposal helps assists in maintaining
our critical infrastructure. Be smart, dispose of your garbage sensibly.

John Compton Dam

Did you know that the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP), launched in December
2014, is the largest project ever negotiated by the Government of Saint Lucia with the World Bank?
The project, a US$68 million investment, is aimed at reducing the island’s vulnerability to natural
hazards and the adverse impacts of climate change by strengthening critical infrastructure improv-
ing the national capacity to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, and providing information to
citizens to help them adapt to climate change.

For more information, please contact:

Sustainable Development and Environment

Coming soon:- Division,

Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy,
Science and Technology
The Climate Adaptation Financing Facility (CAFF).
Choc, Castries
This Financial Facility, managed by the Saint Lucia Saint Lucia
Development Bank (SLDB), will provide loans at conces-
Phone: 758-451-8746
sional rates to householders and business persons who Fax: 758-450-1904
wish to undertake initiatives purposed to reduce risks to E-mail: doxeriel@gmail.com
susannascottpmp@gmail.com
climatic events. charlesmarcia3@gmail.com