a. Information Systems
A database that is compatible with the Ministry of Works infrastructure GIS database is being compiled on Microsoft Access at the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health. The purpose of this database is to facilitate infrastructure planning and to assist with identifying the cause of issues with each individual sewage system and how well or poorly it is being managed. The database will also be used to produce a Land Information Memorandum (Drainage) for each property. This memorandum may be included in documentation during transfer of ownership of a property. The issuance of Land Information Memoranda (Drainage) will begin in October 2009.
The database aims to contain the following information for each system:
Ownership of the system, Sewage Construction Permit number, fee paid for Sewage Construction Permit, land title name and number, type of development, name of builder, name of sewage system installer, type of system, make and model of system, tank number (if applicable) date of installation, desludging record, tank capacity/design loading, seasonal high groundwater table depth (at the effluent land application area), proximity to surface water, soil type at effluent land application area, post-treatment disposal method and any system maintenance contract pertaining to that system including results of tests and inspections conducted on that system.
b. Research and Development
During the development of the Sewage Treatment Improvement Program, it was discovered that high performing sewage treatment systems that serve flush toilets are expensive to purchase and operate. Research is needed to develop low-tech systems that serve flush toilets, perform well in humid, wet, tropical environments, protect public health and the environment and are cheap to build and operate. A collaborative research proposal between various universities and research institutions is being developed but is yet to be formalized.
