Grenada receives US$20.7M grant from UK to improve water supply

Grenada received a grant of US$20.7 million from the United Kingdom Government through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) to improve the water supply in southern Grenada.

It is to be noted that the fund was administered by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and work is scheduled to begin later this year and concluded in 2026. The Government of Grenada, United Kingdom and CDB revealed the ideas and plans that will be carried out by them under this project.

The project is expected to result in improved resilience to climate change impacts on water resources, reduced service disruptions, improved customer relationship capabilities of NAWASA, reduced strain on economic resources, enhanced livelihoods and improved public health in Grenada.

With this in mind, the National Water and Sewerage Authority of Grenada will be executing the project in St. George and undertaking the necessary improvements to water services.  It is estimated that this project will benefit about 15,000 people, equivalent to 14 percent of the country's population.

This intervention is expected to yield positive results, enabling people to better manage water resources which will directly lead to increased access to safe drinking water in the southern region of the country.

According to sources, most areas of Grenada are facing water shortages, especially in the dry months.  In particular, almost every tourist, commercial and residential activity used to take place in the urban area of ​​southern St. George and the area is currently facing the problem of water supply disruption.

CDB’s Director of Projects - Therese Turner Jones expressed her delight as the collaboration between the governments of UK and Grenada will help to resolve the challenges which become hurdle in the growth of its economy.

It will also bring multiple opportunities in terms of employment which were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This project will mean increased water generation capacity, additional treated water storage, and improved transmission capacity, and essentially, this means improved quality of life for residents of the communities that will benefit from the project”, added Jones.

Victor Clark- Resident British Commissioner to Grenada underlined the importance of Water Supply Expansion Project as it will support Grenada to enhance the climate resilience of the water sector and will also increase the water distribution network.

The PM of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell outlined the importance of this investment for the resilience, progress and sustainability of Grenada which will also help the nation in facing unforeseen climate situations.