To expand access to water in places of southern Grenada the water system serving the south of the Caribbean Island will be significantly advanced under a US $20.7 million grant from the Government of the United Kingdom, through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF), administered by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The upgrade project, exposed by spokespersons from the Government of Grenada, the United Kingdom, and the CDB, in St George’s, will be executed by Grenada’s National Water and Sewerage Authority.
A report from the CDB says the intervention will increase the availability of safe drinking water and improve water resources management in the country’s southern region.
Work is scheduled to start later this year and run until early 2026.
Even though the whole island of Grenada is affected by limited water supply in the driest months, the urban areas of southern St George, where most of the residential, tourism, and commercial activity occur, are mostly affected. Nearly 15,000 individuals, just over 14 percent of Grenada’s population, will benefit from the intervention.
CDB’s Director of Projects, Therese Turner-Jones, said the association with the Government of the United Kingdom, and the Government of Grenada will also help alleviate some of the lingering economic impacts of COVID-19 by creating short-term job opportunities.
This project will mean increased water production capacity, additional treated water storage, and upgraded transmission capacity, and basically, that means an improved quality of life for the residents of the communities the project will benefit, says Turner-Jones.
Resident British Commissioner to Grenada, Victor Clark said, The UK knows how pivotal the Water Supply Expansion Project is for expanding and upgrading Grenada’s water distribution network and increasing climate resilience of the water sector. We are glad to be providing £17 million (XCD 57.8 million) in grant funding for this project, which will deliver real and tangible benefits for the individuals of Grenada.
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said the project underscored the essence of investing in Grenada’s resilience, progress, and sustainability, mostly in the face of climate uncertainties.
This project stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for Grenada, arriving at a critical juncture when the specter of climate change appears over our beautiful country. Grenada like many countries, is grappling with the visible impacts of climate change. Increasing sea levels, risky weather events, and shifting environmental dynamics threaten the very fabric of our tri-island.
The project is expected to result in an improved ability to withstand the effects of climate change on water resources, fewer service disruptions, enhanced customer relations capacity of NAWASA, less stress on economic resources, greater livelihoods, and improved public health in Grenada.
