BASSETERRE — Prime Minister The Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew says major investments in water infrastructure have helped protect the Federation from what he describes as the worst drought in recorded history, possibly the most severe since the 1920s. During a roundtable press conference, Drew attributed the crisis to climate change and El Niño, noting that without strategic planning and significant capital investment, the nation would face far more dire water shortages.
The Labour Administration’s water strategy centers on a $50 million desalination plant capable of producing 2 million gallons per day. Combined with new wells and expanded pipeline infrastructure, the project has increased round-the-clock water access to approximately 70 percent of the population, with additional drilling and pipeline work still underway.
“The threat of saltwater intrusion into the Basseterre Aquifer was very real,” Drew explained. “The more you extract from the aquifer, the higher the risk of saltwater intrusion as sea level rises. Our investments have protected this critical resource.” The government constructed a pipeline stretching from the Basseterre Valley aquifer through Taylor’s to St. Peters, enabling the lower portions of St. Peters to receive aquifer water while upper areas rely on surface runoff from Green Hill. This dual-source approach has enabled St. Peters residents to access 24-hour water service.
The Basseterre area now receives continuous water supply from the desalination facility, addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing Caribbean island nations in an era of climate uncertainty. Drew emphasized that the early adoption of climate-informed water policies prevented an even more severe crisis as rainfall declined irregularly across the region.
Drew credited Minister of Water, Konris Mayard, along with Cromwell Williams and the entire water department, for implementing the comprehensive infrastructure program. “This administration recognized the vulnerability and acted decisively,” he said, underscoring the importance of proactive governance in addressing environmental threats.