Goals

Through the Sustainable Development of the Laguna de Bay Environment the objective was to support the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) in ensuring future sustainable development of Laguna de Bay resources based upon a sound knowledge of the functioning of the system, its users and the institutional setting. The project was therefore especially directed at capacity building and developing practical and realistical solutions for current problems and issues regarding the lake.

Details of current status

It was recomended to immediately putting a halt to seaward urban expansion and to establish a natural buffer zone of several kilometres wide. Building houses or hard structures in the mangrove forest close to the waterline should be prevented as much as possible. Another part of the solution is further implementation of the Master Plan for the Drainage of Greater Paramaribo (in particular catch-up maintenance of the drainage system). There are also plans to construct new pumping stations and build a ring dam and canal. Such measures should end the frequent flooding that afflicts the capital, but a thourough environmental impact assessment is recommended.

Details of project plan

In Laguna de Bay conflicting interests exists between water use and water allocation as well as between growth and development and quality aspects. The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) is faced with the critical need for comprehensive and integrated management of the Laguna de Bay. Institutional strengthening of the LLDA was an integral part of the project. It was recognised that a key to sustainable water resource management is the presence of sufficiently well-trained and experienced staff in all disciplines needed to support.

Impact

The application of the DDS and the accompanied data collection and analysis studies has already led to an impressive update on many facts and figures such as physical characteristics of the Laguna de Bay catchment, total waste loads from the different sectors and areas, water and sediment balances, spatial and temporal compliance with applicable criteria etc.

To improve the water quality and ecology of the Laguna de Bay, collection and treatment of all domestic and industrial wastewater was proposed in the entire coastal area.

Technologies used

Key capacity building components were numerical modelling and GIS, geoscience training, set-up of hydrological monitoring programme, review of routine and compliance monitoring programmes, including set-up of a Monitoring Information System.

Key PIDP study (four polder islands) components: soil and geohazard study, civil-engineering works on the development of polder systems (dikes and drainage system, dredging and disposal, sewerage and sanitation), urban development, environmental assessment, stakeholder analysis, development of sanitary land fill, shoreline restoration and cost-benefit-analysis.