Ian Drysdale of Healthy Reefs Initiative explains in Robert Armstrongs 2013 article: Where Does Our Sewage Go? In the May issue of the Bay Islands Voice that “the discharge of untreated sewage is noticeably reducing the water quality and visibility around Roatan. Human sewage adds nutrients fostering growth of macro algae that grow faster then the coral and smothers them.”
Black water is not only
unhealthy for the Reef but for humans, animals, and the water table on which we depend. Adopt an Estuary is a solution available now. It is low tech, uses local materials and labor, and can be combined with other natural ingenious eco-technologies to keep the precious fresh/rain water from running off the island. We are keeping the aquifers full, and converting toxic black water creeks on Roatan into safe healthy habitat for beneficial species. What we have done here is created a giant waste water processing plant and sediment removal area in the Estuary zone. The tidal flow moving throughout a series of deep open rock structures create the aeration that allows for creatures to thrive like small fish, scallops and filter feeding shrimp that actually clean the water along with the bacteria and ‘good’ algae. These marine crabs, insect and animal life not only clean the rocks and water they prevent sediment, toxins, and nitrogen from entering the sea and smothering the reef
As the gunk, Garbage and overgrowth surrounding the creek is removed and plants and trees are added the community, tourists and cruise ship visitors can see a National Park emerging from what was once a forgotten and hazardous place. Marine crabs, Lobster, wildlife and amphibians move back in along with the often overlooked fresh water species on Roatan that are slowly going away due to severe pollution and lowering water tables that cause creeks to run dry. This is ALL caused by poor water management and leaking water lines that drain the Roatan Aquifer. Roatan is losing Fresh water Reserves very rapidly. Deep rock habitat , aeration, plants, and maintenance are the keys to success. The Adopt an Estuary needs to be installed then maintained once in operation. Silts and organics settle in the Estuary and turn into toxic substances. Periodic dredging will yield soil amendments for fertilizing and growing food crops and at the same time create higher oxygen levels and lower temperatures in the water. In September of 2014 The Adopt an Estuary Project was awarded a $3000 grant from the L.A.T.A. Foundation (Latin American Travel Association) to install phase ll. Adding the underwater tidal flux baffles to the landside of the estuary as well as incorporating wetlands will start in November of 2014. Penn State and Engineers Without Borders has taken an active interest in Adopt an Estuary and has visited Roatan to take measurements and do water testing. The are intending to send student volunteers to study the science and math behind this unique approach to opening the arteries of our living planet.
