Royalton Hotels and Resorts has publicly addressed mounting concerns regarding the construction of a new sewage treatment plant for its Royalton Vessence Barbados resort in Holetown. During a media briefing on Tuesday, company executives assured the public that the facility will adhere to Barbados’ rigorous environmental regulations, which they claim exceed regional standards.
Executive Vice-President Daniel Diaz confirmed that construction along Highway 1 would conclude within approximately ten days if work proceeds expeditiously. The project involves implementing traffic management measures to facilitate the installation of new utility lines for the hotel development. Diaz emphasized that all construction strictly follows previously approved plans presented during a 2020 town hall meeting, with no subsequent modifications made to the original design.
While acknowledging suggestions to relocate the treatment facility, Diaz defended its current placement as necessary for upgrading infrastructure in an area that has experienced limited development over the past twenty years. The executive detailed the advanced features of the planned facility, describing it as a state-of-the-art, enclosed system equipped with odor control and noise reduction technology.
Dr. William Duguid, Senior Minister for Coordinating Infrastructural Projects, provided context regarding the West Coast’s wastewater management challenges. Unlike Bridgetown and the South Coast—which benefit from a central sewage treatment plant serving approximately 4,000 customers—the West Coast lacks a comprehensive sewer system. Dr. Duguid noted that several prominent properties along the coast, including Glitter Bay, Sandy Lane, Mullins, and St. Peter’s Bay, already operate individual treatment plants without incident.
The timing of construction during peak tourist season raised additional concerns about potential disruptions to nearby hospitality businesses. Diaz acknowledged these challenges but explained that the scale of the resort development made the scheduling unavoidable. Royalton’s technical team has conducted assessments indicating that noise and dust impacts will remain minimal throughout the construction phase.