The Valley, Anguilla – January 8th, 2025 — The Government of Anguilla through the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing and Tourism (MICUH&T) has embarked on a new initiative entitled “Toward sustainable and climate-resilient groundwater resource management in Anguilla.” The online Kick-Off meeting with key stakeholders was held on October 4th, 2024, and the in-person inception field mission to Anguilla was conducted from November 24th – November 29th, 2024.
The project forms part of the Green Overseas (GO) programme, a European Union (EU) funded effort implemented by Expertise France to support sustainable development in overseas territories. Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV), a consulting engineering company from the Netherlands, is implementing the project.
The Honourable Minister of MICUH&T, Mr. Haydn Hughes acknowledged the importance and timeliness of groundwater resource management for Anguilla. He stated, “Sustainable groundwater management is an investment in the future of our economy and the well-being of our citizens.”
The objectives of the project are:
1. Determine the current and future availability of groundwater resources in Anguilla, considering climate change.
2. Improve the monitoring of groundwater quality and mitigate contamination of the groundwater and subsidiary ecosystems.
3. Strengthen the policy, regulatory and planning arrangements for groundwater management.
Highlights and Key Insights from Inception Mission to Anguilla
Royal Haskoning DHV consultants and Acting Permanent Secretary for MICUH&T engaged in insightful discussions with a cross section of stakeholders from government agencies, statutory bodies and private institutions during the first field mission. This included MICUH&T, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Water Services, Department of Health Protection, Department of Physical Planning, representatives of driller companies in Anguilla and the Green Overseas Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean.
Important site visits to potential contamination sites, wells, and desalination plants were also undertaken. The consultant’s partners ICE St. Maarten and My Anguilla Experience leveraged their support through respectively overseeing the field work activities and providing communication expertise.
Through stakeholder engagement and site visits, the team gained vital information about groundwater levels and quality, maintenance of water supply infrastructure and insights into the geology of the island and governance which will help shape the Groundwater Management Plan.
As the project moves into its next phases, updates on progress and milestones will be shared to ensure all stakeholders remain informed and engaged.
