BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – December 12, 2025 – A groundbreaking desalination facility at Bird Rock is approaching final commissioning stages, poised to deliver substantial water relief to residents throughout Basseterre and adjacent communities. This state-of-the-art reverse osmosis plant, capable of producing two million gallons of fresh water daily, represents a critical infrastructure development for the region.
The project emerges as a collaborative endeavor between the national Water Service Department and Royal Utilities Ltd., an established private sector entity with extensive experience in water management solutions. Comprehensive testing protocols have been consistently successful, with all microbiological and operational assessments meeting stringent quality benchmarks.
Gerry Moise, General Manager of Royal Utilities Ltd., elaborated on the strategic advantages of the Caribbean Sea location during the recent National Discussion on Water forum held December 10th. “The Caribbean side offers significantly superior operational conditions compared to the Atlantic coast,” Moise explained. “We benefit from lower salinity levels and avoid the persistent sargassum seaweed intrusions that frequently disrupt seawater intake systems on the eastern shoreline.”
Environmental impact assessment studies conducted prior to construction included repeated water quality analyses, with ongoing monitoring supervised by the Bureau of Standards to ensure compliance with international water safety protocols. Moise emphasized the exceptional quality output, noting: “The purified water from this new facility exceeds even the standards of our Marriott Resort operation, which has maintained flawless performance for over two decades without a single quality complaint.”
The desalination initiative addresses chronic water shortages exacerbated by diminishing rainfall patterns, representing a strategic shift toward technological solutions for water security. “Desalination has proven its reliability globally for half a century,” Moise affirmed. “Saint Kitts’ investment in this technology demonstrates forward-thinking leadership in sustainable resource management.”
The December 10th forum, themed “Embracing Desalination for a Sustainable Future,” highlighted the project’s significance within the broader context of climate adaptation and water resilience planning for the island nation.