Milestone for Water Security: New Desalination Plant Commissioned at Ffryes Beach

Milestone for Water Security: New Desalination Plant Commissioned at Ffryes Beach

Antigua and Barbuda today commissioned a new reverse osmosis plant at Ffryes Beach, in a major step toward addressing the long-standing issue of water scarcity, . The facility, constructed in partnership with the Seven Seas Water Group, is capable of producing one million imperial gallons of potable water per day, significantly boosting supply to the southern corridor of the island.

The commissioning ceremony, held on World Water Day, brought together government officials, APUA representatives, international partners, and community members to celebrate what many described as a transformative moment in the country’s water infrastructure journey.

Minister of Public Utilities Melford Nicholas called the new facility “a milestone, not a finish line,” noting that the government remains committed to expanding production capacity and fixing aged distribution systems to ensure every household can access water on demand. “By the end of this year,” he said, “our internal target is 100% coverage—every resident, every community, 24 hours a day.”

The Fry’s Beach plant is the first of two facilities being developed under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement with Seven Seas. A second plant, located at Barnacle Point, is expected to come online later this year, adding an additional two million gallons per day to the national grid.

APUA General Manager John Bradshaw praised the cross-sector collaboration that made the plant possible, crediting both local engineers and Seven Seas for delivering the project in record time and under budget. “This isn’t just about production—it’s about building a sustainable system that works for the long haul,” Bradshaw said.

Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and U.S. Embassy representative Tabitha Snowbarger were also in attendance. Snowbarger emphasized the importance of U.S.-Caribbean partnerships in supporting infrastructure resilience, calling the project “a symbol of what we can achieve together.”

The event featured musical performances by Tian Winter and Panache Steel Orchestra, and a prayer of dedication led by Father Christopher Roberts, who likened the plant’s commissioning to water being drawn from the rock in the biblical desert.

With this new facility now operational, several communities in the south—including Jennings, Old Road, and surrounding areas—are already experiencing improvements in water availability. According to Minister Nicholas, property interest in the area has surged due to the combined benefits of reliable water and improved roads.

The government plans to continue its water infrastructure upgrades with additional reservoirs, pipeline replacements, and automated valve systems, aiming to eliminate water rationing across the island.

As Minister Nicholas concluded, “This is only one leg of a longer relay. But today, we can celebrate the fact that we’re moving in the right direction—with speed, purpose, and partnership.”

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