by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—On June 5, 2025, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy, Utilities, Domestic Transport, ICT and Post held an extensive Progress Update Press Briefing, shedding light on significant developments and achievements across various ministries.
Notably, the Water Services Department (WSD) announced that it has embarked on the most significant investment in the nation’s water sector in its history, marked by a 400% increase in budgetary allocation.
This surge in investment translates into critical projects designed to address long-standing water supply challenges across the Federation.
The flagship undertaking is the construction of the two-million-gallon-per-day Basseterre Desalination Plant, a project that is advancing swiftly and is slated to provide a more reliable potable water supply to the Basseterre region and beyond.
Complementing this initiative is the development of the Cayon well, the construction of new storage tanks, and extensive pipeline upgrades aimed at improving water distribution across multiple communities efforts.
In addition to these, the Water Services Department is actively pursuing innovative approaches to water security through a semi-airborne geophysical survey, drone maps, strategically mapping underground aquifers to pinpoint new groundwater sources.
Plans are underway to drill up to ten additional wells to alleviate shortages in targeted areas.
Moreover, the US$40 million Green Climate Fund (GCF) TransWater Project represents another cornerstone effort focused on enhancing the Federation’s climate resilience and sustainable water management.
Cromwell Williams, Head of the Water Services Department, highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that remain.
“So, 2025 thus far has seen us beginning to turn the corner in terms of improving the reliability of our water supply. Thanks to almighty God for providing the rain because we must acknowledge that without rain we cannot provide a sustainable and reliable water service,” he remarked.
Williams highlighted the paradox of what might be considered one of the wettest dry seasons in years, emphasising nature’s vital role in the water supply chain.
He candidly acknowledged the complexity of the water shortage issue.
“I must stress that it took years for us to fall into the unfortunate situation in which we find ourselves, where we have a current water shortage. Our supply is not adequate to meet our demand, but that didn’t happen overnight, and… it cannot be solved overnight. It will take time, but be assured that we were never at a loss as to the solution and what it takes for us to overcome this unfortunate situation in which we find ourselves.”
Williams was explicit about the necessity of sustaining well drilling to avoid less than 24-hour water supply scenarios, lamenting that such practices had diminished in previous years.
“We also know that there would have come a time when our groundwater resources would not have been adequate to meet our demand and to compensate and to augment that we had to turn to desalination and so we have reached that point especially in the Bassterre area where we have had to turn to desalination,” he stated.
While desalination is often viewed as an expensive alternative that relies on considerable electrical energy, it remains a critical solution to the water crisis, particularly for St. Kitts and Nevis, which lacks the energy abundance found in oil- and gas-producing nations.
Credit was given to Minister Konris Maynard for his scientific and proactive approach since assuming office over two years ago.
“Because of his aggressive stance in solving the water shortage situation, once it was clear that the most feasible solution for Basseterre was desalination, we went about the procurement process as efficiently as possible and today we have a two million gallon per day desalination plant that is about 75 percent completed and we should start pumping the highest quality potable water from that plant into our system by next month.”
The well-drilling program has also been revitalised, with a contract valued at EC$25 million awarded to a Trinidad and Tobago firm to drill approximately ten wells around the island.
“We therefore anticipate that within the next two months Basseterre including St. Peter’s should have returned or would return to 24 hours water supply as a result of the commissioning, as a result of the commissioning of the Basseterre desalination plant and by the end of this year some of the rural communities will also be returned to 24 hours water supply due to the construction of new wells.”
In reflecting, he cautioned on infrastructure timelines.
“We would like to do it in six months or a year, but let’s be realistic. It takes time to build a house. It takes time to build public infrastructure but we are pushing as fast and as efficiently as we can… these wells are over 500 feet on average… and it does take time to drill a well and to install all the equipment that is necessary along with the pipeline to connect that well to wherever the reservoir is and hence to bring the water to your community.”
When invited to update on the desalination plant’s progress, Williams confirmed that the project, which commenced ground construction in December 2024 after contract signing in July, is about 75% complete.
“It should be substantially completed by next month, July, which means that we begin to pump tests, we begin to test the water and so on into our system by as early as next month, barring any unforeseen circumstances.”
He disclosed the cost of the project at approximately EC$50 million, noting additional expenses including pipeline installation connecting the plant to the reservoir.
These installations are currently underway, conducted by the Water Services Department’s in-house team.
Minister Maynard took the opportunity to discuss the energy implications, acknowledging the challenges inherent in desalination.
“Yes, one of the challenges, of course, with desalination it is energy-intensive and energy, of course, is costly for us to produce here in St. Kitts and Nevis, depending on fossil fuels.”
He explained that the plant includes backup independent energy generation in case the local power company, Skellig, faces production shortfalls.
The electrical demand for the plant is estimated to be between one and two megawatts, which constitutes nearly 10% of the country’s total usual power usage, ranging from 25 to 28 megawatts.
Minister Maynard also highlighted the ongoing upgrades at SKELEC to support the additional load and efforts to incorporate renewable energy sources, to reduce operational costs.
“SKELEC will also update you on the progress being made to attract renewable energy, which is much more cost-effective, and that is also going to be critical to ensure that the cost to operate the desal plant is reduced when green energy is able to come onto the grid.”
Regarding the focus on drilling well locations, Assistant Water Engineer Landrith Mikhail Isaac identified approximately 10 to 12 targeted areas, predominantly located just beyond Cayon, extending counterclockwise towards Challengers, including Sadler’s, St. Paul’s, and Newton Ground—areas historically prone to water challenges.
The immediate focus includes Basseterre or St. Peter’s, where short-term rectifications are underway.
“We want to have a full scope and attack the whole island so everybody can return to 24-hour service.”
Minister Maynard elaborated on the rationale for targeting the northwestern side of St. Kitts and Nevis, which receives most of the island’s rainfall.
Anticipating frequent questions from residents puzzled by daily rains yet limited water supply, he clarified, “Well, if it’s raining every day, we hardly see any runoff going to the sea when it’s regular rain. That water is going somewhere. It is being captured in a reservoir underneath our feet. And this is what this exercise is to do, to find where that water is being captured so that we can bring it to the surface.”
The minister estimated that about 40% of the groundwater has been developed, with plans to explore the remaining 50% to 60% in due course.
On water conservation, an essential pillar in water management, Williams was unequivocal.
“Conservation is something that I have said recently… it is not an option for us, meaning it’s not optional.”
He emphasised the limited impact of rainwater on a small island and explained how most rainfall is absorbed into the ground, thereby replenishing groundwater sources.
“When you go around St. Kitts, you don’t see rivers flowing continuously to the sea… For the 90% of the time, when the rain falls, it soaks into the ground, and it becomes groundwater, which we can exploit. So conservation is important. We have limited water on a small island. We have to use it wisely.”
Williams recognised cultural challenges as a significant barrier to embracing water conservation, noting widespread resistance to acknowledging the country’s national status as a water-scarce nation.
“We have to begin in our minds, St. Kitts. We do not have a lot of water. And that will then transcend into how we use it.”
Minister Maynard added a pragmatic perspective, pointing out that some governments in the Caribbean have resorted to mandates to protect limited water resources.
“You cannot wash your vehicle with a running hose. You cannot do a whole number of things in order to preserve the water resource that they have.”
St. Kitts and Nevis has not yet implemented such mandates, and the minister urged citizens to form a partnership.
“I am asking for us to have a partnership in this. I’m asking those who listen, all of us who use water, let’s partner on this. Don’t force us, the government, to have to mandate behaviour… We’ve spent the most money ever in the history, in a short period of time, on water development. Don’t force us to have to make those decisions.”
He commended recent water conservation campaigns, including dramatisations about water wastage, hoping to inspire behavioural change before legislation becomes necessary.
Addressing concerns about water turbidity, particularly after Tropical Storm Ernesto caused interruptions due to sedimentation, Assistant Water Engineer Isaac explained the ongoing mitigation efforts.
“Every time there’s some form of rainfall… there’s this siltation into the intake. Every time that happens, we have to flush the line, which means the water interruption during that line.”
He described a two-pronged approach: supplementing affected areas with water from alternative sources and installing a filtration system to reduce silt intrusion.
Minister Maynard highlighted the direct link between climate change and these challenges, recalling visits to landslide sites caused by intense rain events stemming from climate variability.
“That is a direct result of climate change, and we cannot understate its impact and how it is forcing us to have to now adapt in the face of these challenges.”
Lastly, on the modernisation of water system management, Isaac explained the pilot implementation of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
“SCADA… will help us to have real-time monitoring of the system… With the system now, we could have more data-driven decisions with regard to monitoring and maintaining the system.”
The department is in the tender evaluation stage, poised to modernise water management and increase operational efficiency.
The comprehensive update provided by the Ministry reaffirms a committed and multi-faceted approach to addressing the water challenges facing St. Kitts and Nevis, blending infrastructure development, scientific innovation, conservation education, and climate adaptation to secure a sustainable water future for the Federation.
