The GEBE Water Laboratory assisted the Dutch division of the UNESCO-IHE with a Quick Scan water study on St. Maarten.
Fred Kruis, Head Environmental Laboratory, and Jan Peter Buiteman, Senior Lecturer in Sanitary Engineering at UNESCO-IHE, visited St. Maarten to conduct tests of the surface water quality on St. Maarten including beaches, the ponds and even effluents from treatment plants. A variety of tests were carried out at the GEBE water lab, including E-coliform and total plate counts, some tests were done at the Waste Water Treatment Plant on the Illidge Road, using portable test kits, while other samples were accumulated to be tested further in their laboratories in Delft.
During their visit, they met with GEBE Managing Director, ir. William Brooks and the GEBE Water Quality Control team for a short workshop. A tour was also organized of the GEBE Water Lab, and the AIRFIN Water plants at Cay Bay and Low Lands. Jan Buiteman expressed his appreciation for the high level of cooperation they received from GEBE to execute their water study, as well as for GEBE’s hospitality and the use of the GEBE water lab facilities.
The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education was established in 2003. It carries out research, education and capacity building activities in the fields of water, environment and infrastructure. The Institute is based in Delft, the Netherlands and is the largest water education facility in the world.