Government Unveils $40 Million Plan to Boost Water Production and Distribution Across the Island

The government has announced an investment exceeding US$40 million over the next nine months to enhance water production and distribution throughout the island.

This initiative was revealed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne during a recent budget presentation.

Key projects included in this investment are the upcoming commissioning of the Seven Seas Water Group reverse osmosis (RO) plant located at Ffryes Beach, scheduled for January 2025.

This facility will have the capacity to produce an additional 1 million gallons of water per day, primarily benefiting the southern region of the island, from Old Road to Jennings.

Another significant project is the NS Management RO Plant at Crabbs, expected to supply up to 1.5 million gallons of water per day starting in March 2025. This plant will complement the existing Crabbs RO Plant, which has a production capacity of 4 million gallons per day.

Additionally, the Seven Seas RO Plant at Barnacle Point will be installed, capable of producing 2 million gallons per day. This facility is expected to provide water to the northern sector of the island, including areas like Hodges Bay, Cedar Grove, Crosbies, Blue Waters, and Paradise View. Its completion is anticipated by September 2025, with a budget of US$4 million.

Furthermore, a second RO Plant at Crabbs is in the plans, which will have a production capacity of 3.2 million gallons per day. This plant will serve communities such as Willikies, Freetown, All Saints, Liberta, Potters, and St. John’s, with an expected operational date in September 2025 and a projected cost of US$10 million.

As part of these efforts, the government also plans to construct four new water storage tanks at a total cost of US$5 million. Two tanks will cater to the southern part of the island, while the other two will serve the northern side, with a combined storage capacity of approximately 3 million gallons.

In addition, there are plans to upgrade existing water transmission and distribution lines from old metal and PVC pipes to more durable HDPE (Black Pipe). Areas targeted for improvement include South St John’s, Point, Michael’s Village, and New Field, with an estimated investment of US$10 million.

By enhancing water production capacity by 7.7 million gallons per day between January and September 2025, the government aims to significantly alleviate water-related challenges faced by households and businesses across the island.