MBRS Watershed Project Socioeconomic Assessment Purpose : To develop a basic socioeconomic understanding within the nine target MBRS watersheds. Study Sites: Four to nine selected communities within each watershed.

Data Collection Methods:  Secondary data: existing information sources  Primary data: key informant interviews Socioeconomic variables:  Demographics  Economic welfare  Material style of life  Health and water safety  Community perceptions

Data Analysis & Communication Provide an overview of the watershed based on data from the selected communities, as well as regional and national level data. Collected:  Descriptive statistics on the 33 variables  Secondary Data sources  Interviews with 3-4 community members in each of 3-9 communities on each watershed. Interviewed: doctors, agriculturalists, alcaldes, environmental government officials

Motagua Study Area

Watershed Presentation Today Socioeconomic variables of focus in each watershed: - Population & population density - Incomes and sources of employment - Incomes and sources of employment - Sanitation, Access to Water, Health - Sanitation, Access to Water, Health - Community Perceptions - Community Perceptions

Findings: Motagua - Demographics NationalWatershed*Trends Population G: 11,166,000 H: 6,424,000 Total: 5,177,018 G: 4,113,897 H: 1,063,121 Largest population of watersheds studied Population density G: 134 p/ km 2 H: 62 p/ km 2 Total: 184 p/ km 2 H: G: Highest density of watersheds surveyed

Population Density

Population Density (population/area km 2)

Findings: Motagua - Economic Welfare NationalWatershed*Trends Poverty G: 56.7% live in poverty H: 66.5% live in poverty G: 30% live in poverty; H: 59.9% live in poverty less poverty in watershed than national averages Source of employment G: 41.2% Agriculture H: 60% Agriculture 75% employed in agriculture Agriculture is largest source of employment

Agriculture land cover

Water, Sanitation & Health Effects of Inadequate Water and Sanitation Effects of Inadequate Water and Sanitation Water and sanitation-related disease (malaria, dengue, diarrhea, parasites, river blindness) Water and sanitation-related disease (malaria, dengue, diarrhea, parasites, river blindness) Malnutrition and poor health Malnutrition and poor health Reduced labor availability and productivity Reduced labor availability and productivity Reduced school attendance Reduced school attendance Pollution of watersheds Pollution of watersheds

dengue malaria parasitos dengue malaria parasitos

Motagua – Sanitation Coverage Coverage is average, however treatment is limited

Motagua – Drinking Water Access Coverage is average, however consistent treatment is lacking

Treatment Facilities - Motagua NOMBRE PLANTAS DE TRATAMIENT DE AGUA POTABLE PLANTAS DE TRATAMIENTO DE AGUAS RESIDUALES Chichicastenango 10 Morazán 00 El Rancho 00 Gualán 20 Morales 20 Puerto Barrios 01

Findings: Motagua - Health & Sanitation NationalWatershed*Trends Waterborne diseases Diarrhea is the 2 nd and 3rd leading cause of death in infants in Guatemala and Honduras. Diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity in the watershed Diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity in the watershed Incidence and frequency of waterborne disease Over half of those surveyed said, wastewater pollution affects the safety of drinking water in the Motagua

Community Perceptions in the Motagua Watershed Environmental threatsDeforestation, soil erosion, river pollution, lack of garbage collection Intervention SuggestionsEducation, public campaigns, proper wastewater treatment and garbage disposal

Motagua – Environmental Threats

Community Perceptions of Environmental Threats in Motagua Deforestation from outside lumber companies -- Chichcastenango Deforestation from outside lumber companies -- Chichcastenango Water Contamination from wastewater – San Augustin Acasaguastrian (accent on last a) Water Contamination from wastewater – San Augustin Acasaguastrian (accent on last a) Deforestation close to the rivers –Morales Deforestation close to the rivers –Morales Garbage deposit in the center of town – Entre Rios Garbage deposit in the center of town – Entre Rios The wastewater system, pipes are old and obsolete and the oxidation/treatment plant (lakes for oxidation) are full and the waste runs into the river - Copan The wastewater system, pipes are old and obsolete and the oxidation/treatment plant (lakes for oxidation) are full and the waste runs into the river - Copan Rivers are drying up! "We used to be able to swim in the river, from the source to the mouth, but now there is not enough water in the river to swim or to get from the beginning of the river to the ocean. - Omoa Rivers are drying up! "We used to be able to swim in the river, from the source to the mouth, but now there is not enough water in the river to swim or to get from the beginning of the river to the ocean. - Omoa Lack of sanitation connections to wastewater treatment. – Puerto Barrios Lack of sanitation connections to wastewater treatment. – Puerto Barrios

Recommendations/ Suggestions

Findings: Motogua - Summary  Highest population and greatest density in the region - over 5 million inhabitants.  Agricultural industry employs 75% of the watershed’s workforce.  Deforestation and river contamination is a major environmental concern in the watershed.

Chamelecon Study Area

Findings: Chamelecon - Demographics NationalWatershed*Trends Population6.1 Million<1.2 MillionLarge pop. Population density 54 people/km people/km 2 Higher than national Population growth 2.4% in % in San Pedro Sula Higher than national

Population Density

Findings: Chamelecon - Economic Welfare NationalWatershedTrends Income17,172 lempiras/yr San Pedro Sula: 29,544 lempiras/yr Rural: 9,612 lempiras/yr Higher incomes in urban areas Source of employment Services Key manufacturing area

Findings: Chamelecon - Health & Sanitation NationalWatershedTrends Sewage disposal28.2% to treatment 60.4% to treatmentPollution from leakage, overflow Access to drinking water 73.5% accessPoor in rural areasFix Waterborne diseases Diarrhea is the 3rd leading cause of death in infants in Honduras Morbidity from diarrhea is common Common

Chamelecon - Community Perceptions Watershed Environmental threats Lack of enforcement or laws/regulations, water contamination, soil erosion. Recommendations to improve environmental situation Application and enforcement of laws, education, wastewater treatment, location of appropriate garbage disposal sites.

Perceptions of Community members in Chamelecon A solution to garbage disposal would be to invest in appropriate trash sites and have better defined municipal services to collect trash. –San Pedro Sula A solution to garbage disposal would be to invest in appropriate trash sites and have better defined municipal services to collect trash. –San Pedro Sula A solution to water contamination by wastewater is construction of more latrines and more households need to be connected to the municipality wastewater treatment system. –La Entrada A solution to water contamination by wastewater is construction of more latrines and more households need to be connected to the municipality wastewater treatment system. –La Entrada A management plan for the watershed and public participation in the management of the micro- watersheds needs to be developed. -Quimistan A management plan for the watershed and public participation in the management of the micro- watersheds needs to be developed. -Quimistan

Summary of Findings  Watershed population is concentrated in San Pedro Sula, an area with high population density  San Pedro Sula is an industrial/manufacturing center; key for Honduran economy  Poverty is common throughout the country, incomes higher in San Pedro Sula  Sewage treatment is lacking  Deforestation/ soil erosion are concerns

Ulua Study Area

Findings: Ulua - Demographics NationalWatershed*Trends Population6.1 Million~3 millionLarge pop. Population density 54 people/km people/km 2 Dense Population growth 2.4% in % in selected communities High growth

Population Density

Findings: Ulua - Economic Welfare NationalWatershedTrends Income66.5% in poverty63.6% in povertyAverage Source of employment ServicesAgriculture & livestockLarge agricultural industry

Findings: Ulua - Health & Sanitation NationalWatershedTrends Sewage disposal28.2% to treatment 35.8% HH without sanitation little treatment Access to drinking water 73.5% access80.2% access quality Waterborne diseases Diarrhea is the 3rd leading cause of death in infants in Honduras Widespread cause of morbidity common

Findings: Ulua - Community Perceptions Watershed Environmental threats Deforestation & soil erosion, lack of wastewater treatment, pesticide overuse, slash & burn agriculture Recommendations to improve environmental situation Greater wastewater treatment, improved garbage disposal, reduce deforestation through laws and enforcement.

Perceptions of Community members in Ulua  Deforestation causes soil erosion and fills the tributaries, reduces the flow of water in the Main River, the Ulua and the microcuencas debido a incendios. – Villanueva  There is a decreasing availability of water. The water table is lowering and the "tala” (slash and burn) is contaminating the water table. The people who are cutting down trees are not the poorest people. In fact, they are usually land owners who have connections. – Santa Barbara  We need clearly defined environmental management policies need to be created with local participation and input, not handed down from above without consultation. – Santa Barbara  We need the community recognition of community problems and subsequent community organization around the main problems identified. – Santa Cruz de Yojoa  Wastewater treatment is needed. – El Progresso

Findings: Ulua - Summary  Highly populated watershed: approximately 3 million people  Large-scale agriculture and livestock processing industries  High nitrogen and BOD pollution levels  35.8% of households without adequate sanitation  19.7% of households without piped drinking water source

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