The Government’s long-standing push to secure reliable water access is now delivering tangible results, with Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities and Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 3, Konris Maynard, declaring that St. Kitts and Nevis is on the brink of ending chronic water rationing following unprecedented investment in supply, infrastructure and desalination.
Speaking during the 2026 Budget Debate, Maynard described water security as one of the most transformative achievements under the current administration, noting that the country has moved from fewer than 25 percent of households having 24-hour water access to more than 70 percent. “This was never a storage problem,” he told the National Assembly. “It was always a supply problem,” adding that the Government’s strategy focused on expanding reliable sources rather than temporary fixes.
A major pillar of that strategy is the near-completion of the Basseterre desalination plant, a 2-million-gallon-per-day facility Maynard described as a national turning point. He said the plant was designed with backup power, expansion capacity and water quality standards exceeding World Health Organisation benchmarks. “This plant changes everything,” Maynard stated, explaining that it will provide a drought-resilient source of potable water capable of supporting households, businesses and national development for decades.
He further emphasised that desalination forms part of a wider, integrated approach that includes new wells, upgraded pipelines, expanded storage and modern monitoring systems. According to Maynard, these investments have already translated into more consistent water delivery across multiple communities, with remaining areas targeted for connection as additional infrastructure comes on stream in 2026.
However, Maynard warned that the long-term sustainability of the water system depends not only on infrastructure but on financial responsibility. He disclosed that the Water Services Department is currently carrying approximately $21 million in unpaid bills, a situation he said undermines maintenance, expansion and service reliability. “We cannot run a water system where people refuse to pay,” he told Parliament, stressing that while the Government will continue to support vulnerable households, those who can pay but choose not to must be held accountable.
The Minister drew a clear link between revenue collection and service delivery, aligning water sector reform with the broader fiscal approach outlined in the 2026 Budget. He noted that the Government is prioritising the recovery of outstanding revenues rather than introducing new taxes, arguing that fairness requires everyone to contribute to services they benefit from. “If you want reliable water, you have to support the system that provides it,” Maynard said.
Framing water security as a matter of national resilience, Maynard said the Government’s investments are not merely about convenience but about protecting public health, supporting economic growth and preparing the country for climate variability. He characterised the progress made to date as evidence that sustained planning and execution can resolve problems once considered permanent.
As the 2026 Budget moves into implementation, Maynard’s contribution positioned water security as one of the administration’s clearest success stories — a shift from scarcity to stability built on infrastructure, accountability and long-term vision.
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