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Sewage in the Caribbean

Sewage is a very serious problem in the region and although there are no ongoing systematic monitoring programmes it is evident that the lack of sewage collection and treatment is generalized in almost all countries and territories of the region. In Havana Bay it is reported that there are concentrations of 70 umol/l of ammoniac nitrogen and between 0.7 umol/l and 2.5 umol/l of phosphorus, causing eutrophication in certain areas. In Jamaica it has been estimated that the country generates about 455 million litres of sewage per day, of which only 25% is collected and treated.