Interns carry out
water quality tests
SIMPSON BAY--Water quality tests in Simpson Bay Lagoon are being carried out by two Coastal Zone Management students from the Netherlands, who are interning with Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC).
Siestke Lips and Lester van Slooten are students at Van Hall Instituut in Leeuwarden. Their task is to mainly investigate the quality of water streams that flow into the lagoon.
According to EPIC, they intend to measure various factors including pH, salinity and faecal coliform. The main goal of their research project is to identify where most of the pollution comes from to facilitate source based solutions in the future. Their final report is expected in July.
In addition to the water testing project, the interns are also assisting in EPIC’s outreach and educational campaign on the ecological and environmental importance and function of the Lagoon. This includes visiting and assisting with school visits, outreach events and presentations.
Although, the rapid urbanization of Simpson Bay Lagoon area has led to many environmental challenges, both in and around the lagoon, it still serves significant environmental and ecological purposes and forms a central point in the marine tourism industry, according to EPIC.
