Ecological Projects - Project Clean Waters
Green New World’s Lake Atitlan Action Plan to Reduce Eutrophication:
The aim of our programs is to motivate local communities to get involved with improving their living conditions by helping us with the projects we install for them. The projects at Lake Atitlan are directed to improving ecological conditions by reducing the nutrient input of the lake. To read more about Lake Atitlan’s challenge please click here. The rate we implement our programs depend highly on the support and donations we recieve.
Sewage Treatment
A. Green New World provides consultation and assistance in the installation of ecologically sustainable household greywater and blackwater systems. Depending on the location, type of sewage we can advise a system that is efficient and economical. Our greywater systems include botanical cells, reuse for flushing of toilets and simple barrel filters. Our blackwater systems include septic systems connected to drain fields, intensive botanical cell treatment and composting toilets.B. In some scenarios, especially in areas with high urban density, household treatment systems may be impractical and a community treatment solutions more adequate. In collaboration with Terra Vivens we are installing a sewage treatment plant in San Marcos La Laguna that will process greywater from 200 households. The emphasis of this plant is to create an ecological and cost effective model for sewage treatment that can be replicated elsewhere. The plant is planned to be operational by June 2010. After a one year feasibility study the efficiency of the treatment plant will be determined and the results published.
Wetland Expansion
A. On shorelines that lack any substantial vegetation we will grow local reeds that serve to provide other species as a shelter while also filtering out nutrients from the lake.B. Streams will be remodeled to settle sediments and run through a wetland to absorb nutrients prior to reaching the lake.
Sustainable Agriculture
A. Green New World assists farmers to make the transition to sustainable farming practices with an emphasis on creating fertile soil without chemical fertilizers by mulching, composting and co-cropping. Erosion and runoff prevention is also given strong emphasis by teaching the creation of swale systems and strategic planting.B. A reforestation program dedicated to minimizing erosion and soil leaching and restoring soil balance. Maize fields on very steep slopes (>30 degrees) are highly prone to erosion and leaching despite preventive measures. The best solution for these areas is to plant productive trees with more profound root systems to protect the slopes from erosion and yet still deliver a yield. We buy land from the farmers turn them around into productive forests and under supervision hand them back to the Mayan people as community projects.
Biodegradable Products
A. Green New World distributes biodegradable plastic bags to local stores as a substitute for non-degradable plastic bags provides a good educational purpose as well as reducing pollution as everybody becomes aware of their presence.B. We are planning the distribution of biodegradable soaps and detergents which are low in phosphates and will provide a great relief to the lake. We are still looking for an economic source of biodegradable soaps and detergents low in phosphates to implement this project. So if you hear anything let us know!