1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Fort-de-France (FUA) Region Latin America and the Caribbean Native title of the NBS intervention Une nouvelle station d'épuration écologique à Saint-Joseph Short description of the intervention In 2024, Ozanam (a housing private company) and the French Development Agency (AFD) formalized a partnership to modernize an ecological wastewater treatment plant in Saint-Joseph, a neighborhood in Fort de France. The project focuses on replacing an outdated 30-year-old installation that no longer meets current standards with a plant-based water filtration system based on the ‘Rhizosph’air’ patent. This innovative treatment process utilizes "filter gardens," which combine mechanical systems, a gravity network, and a phytoremediation approach. The system employs filters made of gravel and the roots of local plants, specifically Strelitzia reginae and Cyperus alternifolius, to naturally and effectively filter wastewater without odor (Refs 2, 3, 4). The nature-based system purifies wastewater over an area of 2,000 square meters, with a capacity equivalent to serving 900 residents. This approach offers several advantages, including reduced maintenance costs due to its simplicity, decreased energy consumption compared to traditional treatment methods, and improved water quality released back into the environment (Ref 2). Beyond its technical efficiency, the filter gardens enhance biodiversity (Ref 2) by improving the quality of water discharged into the environment and providing habitats for various species. The solution also integrates seamlessly into the landscape, showcasing vibrant flowers native to the area (Ref 1). Additionally, the project implementers plan to construct a walking path, provide recreational equipment, and install benches to encourage residents to utilize the area as a public green space (Refs 2, 5). Website of the intervention https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/le-personnel-de-lafd-visite-la-step-de… Principal problems Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Poor water quality Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Inadequate access to recreational opportunities Implementation area characterization Climate Tropical (Tropican rainforest, tropical monsoon, tropical savanna) Ecosystem Tropical rainforest Urban or built environment Address 1017 Quartier Chapelle 97212 Saint-Joseph Martinique Location The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by). Area boundary (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image Ozanam, 2023,"Le personnel de l'AFD visite la STEP de Chapelle", Retrieved from (accessed 03.09.2024): https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/inauguration-de-la-nouvelle-station-depuration-du-quartier-chapelle-a-saint-joseph Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/1017+Qua+Chapelle,+Saint-Joseph+97212,+Martinique/@14.6769161,-61.0193379,237m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x8c6aa3a38b1456c5:0x3cf72ac3b0caea96!8m2!3d14.6775237!4d-61.018277!16s%2Fg%2F11gxn7bjtp?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxOC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Total area 2000.00m² NBS area 2000.00m² Area description Periurban (both urban and rural environments are present) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Residential Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2023 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2024 End date of the intervention ongoing Present stage of the intervention Ongoing 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention The objectives include: To replace an outdated system with a new filtration technology that reduces local wastewater treatment costs, improves water quality, and alleviates financial burdens for residents. To minimize the environmental impact of wastewater by enhancing the treatment process, thereby contributing to the protection of local biodiversity. To preserve natural heritage through the use of native plants and flowers in the filter gardens. To enhance community well-being by creating walking paths and installing benches, transforming the area into a public green space that fosters social interaction (Refs 2, 5). Key Priorities Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration) Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Habitat and biodiversity conservation Water management (SDG 6) Improvements to water quality Cultural heritage and cultural diversity Preservation of natural heritage Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Social justice and equity Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Species-focused Ecosystem-focused Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Protect and enhance urban habitats Create new habitats Protect species Undertake specific measures to protect native species Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities The French Development Agency (AFD) visited the facility on June 21, 2024, and later, on August 9, 2024, Ozanam and AFD formalized a partnership, securing 25 years of financing for the project (Refs 1, 2, 5). The final phase of the project includes the installation of walking paths and benches, which is still pending (Refs 3, 4). The wastewater treatment plant at the "Chapelle" residence employs the Rhizosph'air process, which includes a technical room, plant gardens in water basins with two types of plant species (Strelitzia regina and Cyperus alternifolius), a valve system, a filtering screen, and a UV treatment cistern (Refs 3, 5). The filtration process follows five steps: Wastewater first passes through a screen that prevents solid waste larger than 20mm from circulating. It is then fed through alternating valve systems that distribute the wastewater to the basins. The basins undergo cyclical forced airing, where air and water are alternately introduced, creating anoxic conditions for nitrogen treatment through denitrification. Water passes through a UV treatment cistern, where exposure to sunlight helps purify it. Finally, the treated water is released back into the environment (Ref 1). Type of NBS project Creation of new green areas Creation of any other green urban spaces Creation of semi-natural blue areas Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens) 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Green areas for water management Rain gardens Swales and filter strips Amenities offered by the NBS Benches and drinking water stations Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Provisioning services Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes) Regulating services Water purification / filtration Mediation of smell / noise / visual impacts Cultural services Recreation Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area According to data collected in 2021, the population in the municipality of Saint Joseph are mostly employed or pensioners, 15,2% of the population is unemployed but looking for work (half of whom are aged 15-24). 69,4% of housing are houses and 30,% are appartments. 60% of the population own their property, 28,7% rent (incl. 10,2% in social housing), the remainder are housed "for free". Of the total housing stock in Saint Joseph, 8,2% of the dwellings are "over-occupied" (Ref 8). Socio-economic profile of the area Middle-income Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Non-government actors Private sector/Corporate/Business Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Specify primary beneficiaries -The "Chapelle" residence, or a total of 248 dwellings will benefit from reduced fees and a cleaner environment (Ref 4). Marginalized groups Other Please specify "other marginalized group" -The residence is an 'HLM' which stands for 'residences with moderate rent', a form of social housing in France. Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups -None reported. Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Native plant vegetation Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Co-governance with government and non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative The French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) initiated the project by emphasizing the need to bring the outdated wastewater treatment station into compliance with environmental regulations. In response, the private company Ozanam, began seeking financial and technical partners with support from Technopole Martinique, a business network that assists with technology-driven solutions in the region. Ozanam partnered with COTRAM, the private company responsible for construction, and SAVEA, a subsidiary of Synthea, which developed the patented "Rhizosph’air" prototype used in the project (Refs 1, 2, 3, 7). The project is co-financed by Ozanam's internal funds and through a financing agreement under a French governmental initiative, which involves the Water Offices of Martinique and Guadeloupe (public sector institutions), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Union (Ref 6). Key actors - initiating organization National government Private sector/corporate actor/company Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Public sector institution Private sector/corporate actor/company Business association or network EU body Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping) Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls) Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Infrastructure & Management Utility companies: water, sewage, etc. Land owners Private sector or company Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Yes Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy" Ref 7 explains that the project grew out of the need to comply with standards for water quality in the EU Directives. This was brought to the attention of Ozanam by the OFB. NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Unknown If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan Other NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Unknown Mandatory or voluntary intervention Mandatory (based on policy) Intervention is mandatory Environmental regulation Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Technological innovations Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. -Technological innovations: The development of the 'Rhizosph’air' process (Ref 1). -Funds or subsidies investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city).: The project is co-financed by the European Union, the INTERREG Caribbean program (CARIBSAN), the French Development Agency and the Water Offices of Martinique and Guadeloupe (Ref 6). Governace and decison-making instruments Legislative and regulatory instruments (e.g. laws, strategies, regulations or restrictions) Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Public - private business agreement (e.g. public private collaborations, public-private-partnerships (PPP)) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers -None reported Financing Total cost €2,000,000 - €4,000,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) The treatment plant was financed by: - Action Logement (Innovation): €800,000 - OZANAM (subsidiary of Action Logement): €200,000. And co-financed via CARIBSAN: -French Development Agency: €600,000 -Martinican Water Office: €400,000 (Ref 4). Ref 5 however mentions a 25 year financing agreement (in the form of a loan) between the FDA and Ozanam of 800.000 euros, it is unclear whether this is part of the initial 600.000 euros above-mentionned or not. What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? 2.000.000 euros (4) Source(s) of funding Public national budget Corporate investment EU funds Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities) Non-financial contribution No Co-finance for NBS Yes Co-governance arrangement An enterprise Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water) Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) Private for-profit actor (e.g. firm, insurer) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Energy efficiency improvements Expected energy efficiency improvements Water management and blue areas Improved water quality Expected improved water quality Green space and habitat Increased number of species present Achieved increased number of species present Other Description of environmental benefits -Expected energy efficiency improvements: "A step forward in innovation and energy consumption" (Ref 1). -Expected improved water quality: "The project involves the use of "filter gardens", an innovative technology that uses specific plants, such as [Strelitzia reginae] to filter wastewater naturally and efficiently" [...] "The need for this modernisation was highlighted after an alert from the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), which insisted on the importance of bringing the old station into compliance with environmental requirements" (Ref 2). -Achieved increased number of species present: Introduction of the Strelitzia Reginae and Cyperus Alternifolius plant species (Ref 4). Environmental impact indicators Other indicators A capacity equivalent of 900 inhabitants according to Ref 1; 6; 7. Economic impacts Reduce financial cost for urban management Achieved reduce financial cost for urban management Description of economic benefits Achieved reduce financial cost for urban management: "This system has the advantage of reducing maintenance costs and thereby the charges [for the residence]" (Ref 2), it has "simplified maintenance" (Ref 4), lower energy consumption (Ref 1). Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved liveability Expected improved liveability Improved access to urban green space Expected improved access to urban green space Health and wellbeing Gain in activities for recreation and exercise Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise Description of social and cultural benefits -Expected improved liveability: "It promises to improve the quality of life of Saint-Joseph residents by providing a healthier and more pleasant environment" (Ref 2). -Expected improved access to urban green space: "Landscaping will be carried out in the coming months to finalize the environmental and social integration (promenade, benches and leisure equipment)" (Ref 4). -Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "a trail should complete this development to provide walking conditions for local residents" (Ref 3). Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Private sector/corporate actor/company Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Input indicators Output indicators Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports No evidence in public records Availability of a web-based monitoring tool No evidence in public records Name of any specific impact assessment tools Unknown Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets Justice Community satisfaction Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community. Description of locals satisfaction with the project Ref 3 mentions : "A facility that delights the neighborhood with the integration of a pleasant and flowery landscape". Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement Unknown High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) Yes Goal setting and impacts delivery No, although benefits were delivered in all the 3 key areas, but in the planning phase, the project did not aim to address issues in all the 3 key priority areas. Reaching original project goals Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages Please specify the achievements of the project goals Environmental goals: -Expected energy efficiency improvements: "A step forward in innovation and energy consumption" (Ref 1). -Expected improved water quality: "The project involves the use of "filter gardens", an innovative technology that uses specific plants, such as [Strelitzia reginae] to filter wastewater naturally and efficiently" [...] "The need for this modernisation was highlighted after an alert from the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), which insisted on the importance of bringing the old station into compliance with environmental requirements" (Ref 2). -Achieved increased number of species present: Introduction of the Strelitzia Reginae and Cyperus Alternifolius plant species (Ref 4). Social justice and community: -Expected improved liveability: "It promises to improve the quality of life of Saint-Joseph residents by providing a healthier and more pleasant environment" (Ref 2). -Expected improved access to urban green space: "Landscaping will be carried out in the coming months to finalize the environmental and social integration (promenade, benches and leisure equipment)" (Ref 4). -Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "a trail should complete this development to provide walking conditions for local residents" (Ref 3). Long-term perspective Yes Cost-effective solutions Yes Equitable impacts A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project Transformative capacity Technical change (e.g. built infrastructure of cities and their parts, roads, buildings and so on) Magnitude of change Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation Application of lessons learned The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Ozanam (2024). Le personnel de l'AFD visite la STEP de Chapelle. Ozanam, Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Ulysse, E. (2024). Martinique : Une nouvelle station d'épuration écologique à Saint-Joseph, projet innovant pour la gestion durable des eaux usées. outremers360.com, Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Ozanam (2023). Inauguration de la nouvelle station d'épuration du quartier Chapelle à Saint-Joseph. Ozanam, Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Ozanam (2023). INAUGURATION STATION D’ÉPURATION CHAPELLE Commune de Saint-Joseph. COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE Ozanam, Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. Agence Francaise de Dévelopement (n.d.). Construction d’une station d’épuration écologique et innovante. Agence Francaise de Dévelopement, Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Ozanam (2023). STATION D’ÉPURATION EXEMPLAIRE POUR LA CARAÏBE. COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE Ozanam, Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Etienne, J. (2023). OZANAM Groupe Action Logement fait procéder au démantèlement de la STEP (STation d'ÉPuration des eaux usées) de la Résidence « Chapelle » et à son remplacement par un Massif Filtrant, innovant, éco-responsable et paysager.. Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 8. INSEE (2021). Dossier complet Commune de Saint-Joseph (97224). Accessed on September 3, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Technical plan of the site Retrieved from:https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/le-personnel-de-lafd-visite-la-step-de-chapelle Image Garden filters https://www.karibinfo.com/news/martinique-lafd-participe-au-financement-dune-station-depuration-ecologique-a-saint-joseph/ Image Inauguration de la nouvelle station d'épuration du quartier Chapelle à Saint-Joseph https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/inauguration-de-la-nouvelle-station-depuration-du-quartier-chapelle-a-saint-joseph Image Inauguration de la nouvelle station d'épuration du quartier Chapelle à Saint-Joseph https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/inauguration-de-la-nouvelle-station-depuration-du-quartier-chapelle-a-saint-joseph
Image Technical plan of the site Retrieved from:https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/le-personnel-de-lafd-visite-la-step-de-chapelle
Image Garden filters https://www.karibinfo.com/news/martinique-lafd-participe-au-financement-dune-station-depuration-ecologique-a-saint-joseph/
Image Inauguration de la nouvelle station d'épuration du quartier Chapelle à Saint-Joseph https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/inauguration-de-la-nouvelle-station-depuration-du-quartier-chapelle-a-saint-joseph
Image Inauguration de la nouvelle station d'épuration du quartier Chapelle à Saint-Joseph https://www.ozanam-hlm.fr/nos-actualites/inauguration-de-la-nouvelle-station-depuration-du-quartier-chapelle-a-saint-joseph
