On September 10, 2026, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), led by the Concerned Citizens Movement, formally commissioned a critical new piece of water infrastructure: a 500,000-gallon glass-fused storage tank at Stoney Hill. The event, attended by senior government officials, water sector representatives, and invited guests, marks a key milestone in the NIA’s decadelong push to strengthen Nevis’ water security and support the island’s sustainable future growth.
Construction of the 60-foot-diameter, 30-foot-high tank began in February 2026 and was completed just three months later by local contractor Precision Construction, led by principal Ronell Webbe. The new tank doubles the total storage capacity at the Stoney Hill site, bringing the combined total of the two tanks to one million gallons. According to Floyd Robinson, director of the NIA’s Integrated Water Resource Management Unit, this expanded capacity means the site can now supply water to communities stretching from south of Stoney Hill to the capital of Charlestown for up to three days if an emergency disables nearby well pumps. This buffer addresses critical vulnerabilities in Nevis’ water network, providing resilience against unplanned outages, maintenance work, and sudden spikes in demand.
Honorable Spencer Brand, the NIA’s Minister for Works and Water Services, emphasized that the new tank is far more than a concrete and steel addition to the island’s infrastructure—it is a foundational investment in Nevis’ long-term resilience and economic development. Brand noted that over the past 10 years, the NIA has allocated more than 50 million Eastern Caribbean dollars to upgrade the island’s entire water ecosystem, from production and well pumping infrastructure to distribution networks and storage capacity. This substantial investment reflects the administration’s core belief that reliable access to clean water is non-negotiable for sustainable growth across all sectors.
“Water is essential for every part of life on this island,” Brand stated at the commissioning ceremony. “Homes, schools, hospitals, farms, hotels, businesses, and new housing developments all depend on consistent access. Adding this 500,000-gallon tank strengthens the entire system by giving us the buffer we need to keep water flowing when production is interrupted or demand surges.”
Looking ahead, Brand outlined the NIA’s broader long-term strategy to adapt Nevis’ water network to the challenges of climate change and growing population and economic demand. He noted that shifting rainfall patterns, more frequent prolonged dry spells, and increasing demand mean the island can no longer rely solely on traditional groundwater sources. As a result, desalination will become an increasingly central component of Nevis’ national water security strategy, complementing expanded storage capacity, upgraded pumping infrastructure, improved leakage monitoring, and broader network upgrades.
“We are not just building infrastructure to meet today’s needs,” Brand said. “We are planning for the Nevis of tomorrow—for more homes, expanded tourism, greater agricultural output, and a growing economy. The investments we make today must have the capacity to support that future, and this new storage tank is a major step forward in that journey.”
The commissioning ceremony featured additional remarks from Acting Premier Honorable Eric Evelyn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Water Services Denzil Stanley, and representatives of the project contractor. Senior government figures including Deputy Governor-General Hyleeta Liburd, NIA cabinet members, and water sector officials were also in attendance to mark the occasion.