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GEF CReW+ San Antero:

Optimization of the municipal treatment plant for water reuse

By IW:LEARN

April 23^rd, 2025

Interview with Andrés Marmolejo, Environmental Administrator, GEF CReW+ project

In the Caribbean region of Colombia, placed within the department of Córdoba, lies the fascinating coastal municipality of San Antero. This beautiful town, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, is the focal point for Component III of the GEF CReW+ Project. Just a short journey of about 75 kilometers from Montería, the capital of Córdoba, San Antero welcomes visitors traveling along the scenic route to the well-known tourist municipalities of Coveñas and Tolu.

San Antero is a place with great natural and cultural wealth, where the sea plays a fundamental role in the lives of its inhabitants. Most people make a living from fishing, tourism, agriculture for their own consumption, and crafting. Its people are friendly and proud of their traditions, which have been passed down from generation to generation.

What makes San Antero truly special is its unique biodiversity. It is the only municipality in Colombia where coastal dolphins can be seen, with two wonderful species: the pink dolphin, which is also found in the Amazon, and the gray dolphin. Additionally, this area is home to a very rare species of albino turtle, known as the hicotea, which has not been seen anywhere else in the country. All of this makes San Antero a very special place, both for its residents and for visitors who wish to appreciate and conserve its natural beauty.

What is the existing problem, and how does the project address these challenges?

In many coastal areas of the Caribbean, such as San Antero, basic sanitation and wastewater treatment have been an ongoing challenge. The lack of adequate infrastructure has made it difficult for communities to provide efficient and sustainable services.

To address this challenge, the project has worked together with local authorities, environmental corporations, and the Ministry of Environment. Together, they have identified technical options that fit the reality of the municipality and have conducted studies to determine the viability of these solutions. Most importantly, this process has been carried out with the active participation of the community and local institutions, ensuring that the solutions are not only technically appropriate but also respond to the real needs of the area.

GEF CReW+ Minds Campaign, Andres Marmolejo. Photo: Crew+ project.

How is the intervention in San Antero?

Work has been done to identify options for optimizing the functioning of the municipality's wastewater treatment plant to allow the reuse of treated water.

This reuse system would facilitate better utilization of water, reducing waste and generating a positive impact on the local community. The intervention has included three key steps:

Diagnosis and Preliminary Studies – A detailed analysis of the current state of the plant has been conducted, identifying the main challenges and designing appropriate technical solutions.
Proposed Improvements – Technical recommendations have been developed to optimize the wastewater treatment system, ensuring that the solutions are tailored to the municipality's reality.
Delivery of Key Information – All necessary documentation will be handed over to the mayor's office so that they can effectively implement these improvements. This includes technical studies, feasibility analysis, financing options, and strategic recommendations for the municipality to move forward with the implementation of the proposed solutions.

Does this intervention have an impact beyond GEF CReW+?

In the development of the project, the reuse of wastewater in agricultural activities is promoted, ensuring compliance with water quality parameters. This initiative provides a sustainable alternative to address periods of low rainfall and secure the water supply for agricultural production systems in the region. Reusing wastewater is a sustainable practice that will help conserve potable water, and if embraced by the community, it could create a lasting impact for San Antero and Colombia over time.

About the project

GEF CReW+: An integrated approach to water and wastewater management using innovative solutions and promoting financing mechanisms in the Wider Caribbean Region, is a partnership project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) that is being co-implemented by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 18 countries of the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). This project builds upon its previous successful phase “The Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (CReW)” project (2011-2017). GEF CReW+ is being executed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Organisation of the American States (OAS) and the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention (CAR/RCU) on behalf of the IDB and UNEP respectively.