National (NPS) Pollution Management Programme
Development of a National Non-point Source (NPS) Pollution Management.

Programme
The Water Pollution Rules (WPR), 2001 (as amended) became operational in May, 2007 with the aim of ensuring that industries in Trinidad and Tobago control and reduce the volumes and concentrations of pollutants discharged in their waste water. Over time it is expected that the quality of our Inland Surface Waters, Coastal Nearshore, Marine Offshore, and Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Groundwater would improve.

The WPR is primarily focused on point source pollution (i.e. pollution originating from one source, e.g. a factory, waste water treatment plant, petrochemical facility, and usually entering the environment through a discrete location or outfall such as a pipe or drain) and does not address the problem of non-point sources (NPS) pollution (i.e. pollutants from diverse and diffuse sources moving over land and through the ground, e.g. fertilizers, pesticides, oil and grease from urban runoff).

The Authority considers the impacts caused by NPS pollution important, requiring serious attention and action in order for the Authority to achieve the overall objective of clean water for all. For this reason it is deemed necessary to develop a national NPS pollution management programme to complement the WPR.

A comprehensive NPS pollution management programme will have the long term goal of protecting T&T's waters from further degradation by NPS pollution and restoring water quality through scientific assessment, implementation of voluntary and mandatory control measures based on these assessments, and public education and awareness initiatives on NPS pollution.

Expansion of CEC Data Log and Development of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Database
Since the implementation of the CEC Rules in 2001, the EMA has received over 2700 CEC applications and 143 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Reports. This exercise is aimed at developing an electronic database and implementing a systemized methodology to capture information from all CEC applications that require an EIA. Information on statutory timelines, type of activity, location, baseline conditions, etc. will be recorded making the system capable of analyzing the rate and type of large scale development occurring by geographic location in Trinidad and Tobago.

The EMA also plans to populate the database with the following datasets as available: Landscape (Topography); Geology; Soils; Water - surface and ground; Air; Land Use; Flora, Fauna, Ecology; Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS), Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA), and Protected Areas. The Database will be designed for public use and aims to promote public awareness of CEC applications that require an EIA. Access to the database will be via the EMA's website.

The database will provide the public with an avenue to easily view a synopsis of all EIA Reports received by the EMA. The intention is also to encourage greater participation in public consultations related to the EIA process. One of the primary objectives of the database is to make environmental information readily accessible for all stakeholders so that informed decisions can be made in a timely manner.

Remediation of Lead Contaminated sites at Guayaguayare
In Trinidad and Tobago, research has revealed a number of communities that require remediation of lead contaminated soil in order to safeguard human health and the environment. Two of these communities identified for remediation were at Food Crop Road and Nurse Trace in Guayaguayare.

The EMA contracted Kaizen Environmental Ltd to undertake lead remediation works at both sites. Remediation works have been completed at Nurse Trace (2009), where the lead contaminated soil has been removed and the excavated area backfilled with clean soil. Remediation of the Food Crop Road location will continue in 2010.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology was used throughout the project life cycle for demarcation and visualization of contaminated areas. Undoubtedly, remediation of lead contaminated sites will result in social, economic and health benefits to the affected communities and aid in achieving the objective of safeguarding human health and the environment.