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Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 26, 2026 —
Significant investments in water infrastructure have expanded access to reliable 24-hour water service across much of Saint Kitts, according to Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, who says approximately 70 percent of the island now enjoys continuous water supply—an increase from just over 20 percent when his administration assumed office in August 2022.
Dr. Drew highlighted the progress during the June 25 edition of The Roundtable, describing water security as one of his government’s earliest priorities after officials assessed the severity of the country’s water challenges.
“We found projections that Saint Kitts had already started to become one of the most water-scarce countries on the planet as a result of climate change,” the prime minister said. “Had we not done what we did in terms of our water strategy, we would be out of water at this time.”
To confront those challenges, the government invested approximately EC$100 million in water infrastructure, funding projects that included the Federation’s first public desalination plant, the installation of new pipelines, and the drilling of additional wells across the island.
According to Dr. Drew, the desalination facility now produces two million gallons of water daily, providing a critical boost to the national supply while reducing pressure on the island’s groundwater resources.
“That desalination plant is providing two million gallons per day of water for our people,” Dr. Drew said. “It has allowed us to give the aquifer some rest, preventing over-extraction and protecting it from saltwater intrusion.”
The prime minister also pointed to major improvements in the water distribution network serving St. Peter’s, where residents are expected to benefit from a consistent 24-hour water supply following extensive infrastructure upgrades.
“We have invested significantly to ensure that St. Peter’s gets back to 24-hour water. For the most part, St. Peter’s is going to have 24-hour water—maybe for the first time in 30 years or more,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Dr. Drew said the government’s long-term strategy is designed to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change and prolonged drought while extending uninterrupted water access across the entire island.
“We have increased 24-hour water coverage by about 50 percent in less than four years, and we hope to achieve it for the whole country in short order because the strategy is already working,” he said.
The prime minister also recognized Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Honourable Konris Maynard, along with the staff of the Water Services Department, for their commitment to advancing the administration’s vision of achieving long-term water security for the people of Saint Kitts.
Source: SKNIS
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