The St Kitts and Nevis government has undertaken a series of initiatives, including making a sizeable investments to build and commission desalination plants to counter the country’s worsening water woes. The goal of these projects is to ensure the supply of potable water on a sustainable basis to people and businesses of the Caribbean nation.
Recently, Prime Minister Terrance Drew visited one the plant sites which is being constructed at the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site in Basseterre, to understand the progress. He was accompanied by Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Energy and Utilities, apart from officials from the Royal Utilities, a local partner.
The seawater reverse osmosis desalination project, a key part of the government’s strategy to improve the island’s water scarcity situation, is likely to produce two million gallons everyday. The plant is expected to come into operation by the middle of 2025, with full-scale production beginning by July.
The project is being undertaken by Royal Utilities at a contract of EC$50 million (US$18.5 million).
Prime Minister Drew, who also visualizes the economic gains from infrastructure projects like the generation of employment and empowerment of communities besides the immediate purpose, was hopeful about the desalination project’s timely consumption. He said every milestone has been met as per the contractual terms as the work on the project progressed. “We are on schedule,” he assured.
Maynard said on the occasion that the government is firm on its mission to deal with the water supply issues that have been adversely affected by the climate change challenge. He thanked PM Drew, also his country’s finance minister, and the entire Cabinet for treating the project on an urgent basis. The minister said the support has been key in ensuring that the government reached the necessary goals while implementing the important project.
PM Drew and Minister Maynard were present at the ground-breaking ceremony for the plant held in July this year.
The plant, which has been termed a game changer for St Kitts and Nevis, will ensure that areas in and around Basseterre get a consistent and reliable supply of drinkable water round the clock.
Standing with the residents of the island-nation who are often inconvenienced by water shortages, Drew said his administration was committed to making things for the better. He said the goal is to see every citizen of St Kitts and Nevis has access to potable water 24 hours a day and the desalination project is one major step in that direction.
In March this year, the government broke ground for setting up a solar-powered desalination project at Canada Estate. It is expected to supply 76,000 gallons daily.
The plant is part of a broader plan to improve water security, which includes better water storage systems, setting up new wells, and identifying new sources of water. The government is also focusing on improving the distribution and efficacy of the supply of water throughout the country.
Minister Maynard said new wells are being drilled around St Kitts and Nevis while hydrogeological surveys are being carried out with the help of drones to spot potential new water resources. Work is also underway on big storage tanks so that the water supply is not compromised even during dry times.
The St Kitts and Nevis’s government is focused on water security and fighting climate change in alignment with the Sustainable Island State Agenda, which aims at creating a prosperous future for all citizens of the island state.
