Honduras

 General Information

Honduras continues to face major challenges in expanding wastewater services, especially in rural and peri-urban areas where septic tanks and latrines prevail and centralized treatment is scarce. Untreated discharges contribute to the deterioration of rivers, coastal waters, and sensitive marine ecosystems in Omoa Bay, while high operation costs and weak financial mechanisms limit the sustainability of existing systems. 

Through GEF CReW+, Honduras strengthened governance, regulatory frameworks, and piloted innovative solutions. The project developed a draft water quality standard for natural marine-coastal zones, filling an important regulatory gap. It also produced sensitivity maps for Omoa and Puerto Cortés, equipping local authorities with better tools to guide planning and pollution control in high-risk coastal areas. 

At the municipal level, CReW+ supported the preparation of proposals for local water and sanitation strategies, creating a framework for stronger governance. In La Moskitia, the project implemented household-level sanitation units, directly benefiting indigenous Miskitu families with improved health and environmental outcomes. In Omoa, the program advanced the design of a new wastewater treatment plant at Calle La Playa to address coastal pollution linked to the Motagua River. 

Complementing these infrastructure efforts, CReW+ also conducted an assessment of microplastic concentrations in Omoa’s surface waters and beach sands, raising awareness of the transboundary impacts of marine litter. 

By combining regulatory advances, spatial planning tools, innovative sanitation, and feasibility studies, GEF CReW+ helped Honduras take decisive steps toward more resilient and sustainable integrated water and wastewater management.