VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #1454/01 3511711
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADEFC5A1 TOQ6488-695)
R 171709Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0614
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001454 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV PGOV EAID EINT GT
SUBJECT: Algae Bloom Shrinks But Problems Remain for Lake Atitlan 
 
REF: A) 09 GUATEMALA 1352 
¶1. (U) Summary: Recent satellite photos from the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) show that the algae 
bloom has shrunk since mid-November and water experts expect the 
bloom to disappear by the end of the year, the underlying problems 
will still remain and require remediation by the GoG, with the 
assistance of donors and civil society, as the bloom will most 
likely reappear next August.  Inter-agency representatives have 
held two conference calls with Dr. Margaret Dix, a professor at 
Guatemala's University of the Valley and an expert on water issues 
at Lake Atitlan, and Dr. Eliska Rejmankova from the University of 
California Davis, to discuss the overall problem, progress made by 
the GoG to date, and the potential role for the USG.  A follow-up 
teleconference is scheduled for mid-January.  End summary. 
 
 
 
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Algae Bloom Shrinks and is not Toxic, but Cyanobacteria Remains 
 
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¶2. (U) According to tests performed by UC-Davis, the Cyanobacteria 
present in Lake Atitlan is not toxic.  NASA satellite images from 
December 1 show that the algae bloom caused by the Cyanobacteria 
has shrunk by approximately 30% since mid-November.  This 
assessment matches what Dr. Dix's who forecasted that the bloom 
would no longer be visible within several weeks.  Dr. Dix noted 
that the lake's temperature was a key factor in the algae's bloom, 
and speculated that as temperatures cool for the season, the algae 
would continue to disperse.  Despite this aesthetic improvement, 
the absence of algae blooms does not correspond with a reduction in 
the quantity of Cyanobacteria present in the lake and Dr. Dix 
estimated that the bloom would return in August 2010. (NASA 
satellite images have been posted online 
 ). 
 
 
 
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USG Seeks to Provide Assistance, Collaborate with Other Donors 
 
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¶3. (SBU) Representatives from the State Department, USAID, EPA and 
water experts from a the University of the Valley (a Guatemalan 
university) and the University of California-Davis participated in 
conference calls on November 25 and December 10.  During the calls, 
experts briefed the group on the nature of the problem and 
discussed potential ways forward.  While press reports have largely 
focused on the dearth of water treatment facilities and the need to 
construct additional installations that will decrease the amount of 
sewage entering the lake, EPA representatives and Dr. Dix explained 
that this could be a faulty course of action.  The sewage treatment 
infrastructure necessary to extract not only waste sediment, but 
also nitrates and phosphorous (both of which are critical in the 
life cycle of Cyanobacteria) is expensive and difficult to 
maintain.  As such, it may prove more viable to find affordable and 
appropriate solutions given the specifics of each project location 
- a process that would require patience and study.  Overall, the 
group concluded that the GoG should not make hasty decisions, avoid 
costly and difficult to manage systems, and consider towns 
surrounding the lake separately and avoid blanket solutions. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) During the meeting November 25, Dr. Dix indicated that a 
Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) working near the lake has professional 
experience working with water and wastewater and is providing 
assistance in her extra time.  Dr. Dix said that the Peace Corps 
has agreed that the PCV will now be working with her as a primary 
activity.  In subsequent conversations with EconOff, the Peace 
Corps Director corroborated this and further stated that Peace Corp 
Guatemala is working to identify additional PCVs that can lend 
technical assistance in support of this effort.  Additionally, 
NASA's SERVIR project volunteered to host a collaborative website 
where all interested USG participants could post documents, 
questions and updated information.  The group discussed USG 
potential to assist the GoG in narrowing options for action based 
on regional experience and perhaps eventually sending a team of 
experts to evaluate proposals that have been submitted to the GoG. 
 
 
 
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GoG Names Point Person for Lake Atitlan, Donor Collaboration 
Critical 
 
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-- 
 
¶5. (U) Group participants cited the need for donors to coordinate 
strongly on this issue to avoid duplication of effort and to 
stimulate progress.  During the December 10 meeting USAID announced 
that the GoG had nominated Dr. Cesar Barrientos to coordinate 
government, donor, and civil society efforts.  Dr. Dix expressed 
strong support for Dr. Barrientos' nomination, noting that he is an 
engineer and has worked extensively with members of the 
international community.  Several participants expressed their view 
that his role will be critical in moving the process forward in a 
coherent manner.  USAID also announced that the United Nations 
Development Program (UNDP) will lead the Donor Group on this issue 
and that that Spain and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) 
planned to donate significant funds toward wastewater management 
projects.  Though the numbers remain unconfirmed, a representative 
from IADB told Emboff that it was planning to build eight 
wastewater treatment plants around Lake Atitlan.  In addition, the 
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has said it will 
provide USD 40,000 to support immediate action.  Donors will also 
participate in a mapping exercise to identify resources and 
expertise in early-January. 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) Comment: While the possible dispersion of the algae bloom 
may prove to be a positive development for Lake Atitlan's tourist 
industry (valued at approximately USD $200 million per year), it 
also reduces public pressure on the GoG to take action on the 
issue.  This could have two different results: A) Rather than 
implementing immediate, but less effective projects, the GoG might 
take advantage of a possible lack of public pressure to make more 
informed decisions and undertake more comprehensive and effective 
projects, or B) In the absence of public pressure, the GoG may 
elect to withhold scarce resources and rely exclusively on the 
donor community to fund and implement the programs necessary to 
achieve environmental change at Lake Atitlan.  In either case, post 
will continue to work with the GoG and the international community 
to provide input and assistance.  End Comment. 
MCFARLAND