Simple practices to improve and optimize on site wastewater disposal systems (OSDS) in Special Communities of Río Grande de Añasco Watershed UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO Mayagüez Campus Ana Navarro, Sea Grant Ramón Sepúlveda & Gloriselle Negrón, Agricultural Extension Service
Purpose To capacitate 170 families of the Río Grande de Arecibo Watershed (RGAW) in simple practices and techniques to improve and optimize their OSDS in order to control this non-point pollution source. Why? RGAW is a high priority restoration watershed for its high levels of fecal contamination.
Content: Where are we? Puerto Rico? Description of the watershed Special communities selection What we found The on site septic systems conference content Results
Puerto Rico Is the smallest and the most eastern island of the Greater Antilles.
Puerto Rico Climate: Tropical marine 80 F (26 C) Rain season May to October Relative humidity 80% Hurricane season June to November
Puerto Rico topography Caribbean National Forest Central Mountain Range
Puerto Rico We have forests, canyons and natural lagoons
Sandy beaches Puerto Rico
Rivers and steams Puerto Rico
Reservoirs Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Dry Forest Since 1981 an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve http://www.yaucoweb.com/guanicaturismo/bosqueseco.htm
Marine whirlwinds and Sahara dust Mayagüez, 2005
We are a lot! 2000 Census 3.8 million
Río Añasco Watershed Eight (8) municipalities 567 Km 2 Population density is 279 persons/ Km 2 It has 69 Special communities more than 26,000 families
Special community Since 2000 A community with limited resources, unequal access to economic and social development sector, geographically limited, poor academic development, poor working skills and a long history of environmental problems
Special community selection The Special Community Office personnel offered a questionnaire at the beginning of the year 2000. We selected those who: Their septic system management is a major problem Were available to participate in the conference
What we found Maricao, 2005
What we found Las Marías, 2005 Lares, 2005
What we found Lares, 2005 Isabela/ San Sebastián, 2005
What we found Lares, 2005 Mayagüez, 2005
What we found Lares, 2005 Mayagüez, 2005
The conference content Major topics: What is an on-site septic system How to construct an OSDS How it works Malfunction causes Maintenance
Materials given to the participants Brochure Manual
What is an on-site septic system
How to construct an on-site septic system Septic tank capacity Soil absorption capacity Percolation test Filter tank capacity Drainage field Exercise: how to construct an OSDS
How it works
Septic system model
Malfunction causes Most common reasons: Too much water Inappropriate design and construction Poor maintenance Use of toxic household products Food waste disposers
Maintenance Frequent inspection Watch out what you discharge! Proper use of washing machines Care of the absorption field Efficient water use Grease traps
Some of the participants
Results Municipalities of the RGAW Special community Number of workshops offered Clientele trained Women Men Adjuntas Acueducto 1 17 6 11 Añasco La Choza 1 14 14 0 Lares Arizona 1 15 11 4 Las Marías Santa Rosa 1 23 19 4 Mayaguez Maricao Río Hondo El Maní (La Boquilla) La Quinta Los Versalles (not special community) Indiera Alta Indiera Fría 4 9 12 20 11 2 26 10 San Sebastián Cibao 1 17 17 0 Yauco Cerro Gordo Lluberas 2 22 11 Total 14 207 144 (70%) 63 (30%) 4 9 11 5 17 9 17 5 5 3 9 6 9 1 5 6
Other project activities Municipality Type of User Number of clients San Juan Lajas Environmental Health Inspectors of the Puerto Rico Health Department General public at Agricultural Fair 27 400 Isabela Special community 19 Mayagüez Manatí UPR-Mayagüez Web page UPR-Mayagüez AES publication: Lente, Vol. 1, June 2005 General public Radio Sol, Program: Mano a mano con tu comunidad General public Radio Atenas: Program Por el libro 500 500 General public 500 General public 500 TOTAL 2,446
Thank you! Mona, Puerto Rico