Antigua and Barbuda has significantly enhanced its freshwater infrastructure with the official commissioning of the Barnacle Point seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility. This marks the second major desalination plant inaugurated on the island within a single year, developed through a strategic public-private partnership between the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and multinational provider Seven Seas Water Group (SSWG).
The new facility boasts a substantial production capacity of 2 million imperial gallons per day (IMGD), strategically positioned to serve growing communities throughout the island’s northwestern corridor. Its location adjacent to APUA’s existing Ivan Rodrigues desalination plant enables efficient integration with established infrastructure, optimizing operational synergy and resource allocation.
This project represents the second implementation under the innovative Water-as-a-Service® (WaaS®) agreement signed between APUA and SSWG in March 2024. Combined with the previously commissioned Ffryes Beach plant, which became operational earlier in 2025, the two facilities collectively provide up to 3 IMGD of reliable, high-quality drinking water to Antiguan residents. The Barnacle Point plant commenced actual water production in November 2025.
Government officials have emphasized the national significance of this infrastructure development. The Honourable Melford Nicholas, Minister of Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities, and Energy, stated that the facility plays a critical role in strengthening water supply for one of Antigua’s most vital service areas. He highlighted the project as demonstrating the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing longstanding water challenges through resilient, sustainable, and future-focused infrastructure.
APUA CEO John Bradshaw emphasized the operational advantages, noting that the plant significantly advances water security while enabling the utility to better respond to growing demand. He particularly noted the project’s reflection of APUA’s commitment to building local technical capacity and praised the efficient partnership with Seven Seas Water Group.
Henry Charrabé, CEO of Seven Seas Water Group, expressed pride in supporting APUA and serving the people of Antigua. He highlighted how the Barnacle Point plant demonstrates the effectiveness of the WaaS® model in delivering dependable water supply while maximizing existing infrastructure investments.
Seven Seas Water Group, headquartered in Tampa and Houston with operations across the Americas, brings extensive expertise with over 220 water and wastewater treatment plants in its portfolio. The company’s WaaS® model has been successfully deployed for more than two decades, demonstrating proven capabilities in project execution, financing, and operations.