The project “Toward Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Groundwater Resource Management in Anguilla” officially concluded following a week-long dissemination mission held from December 1–4, 2025. The mission marked the final in-country engagement of the consulting team from Haskoning (formerly known as Royal HaskoningDHV) and brought together government officials, technical staff, educators, private sector representatives, and students to review findings, strengthen capacity, and chart the way forward for groundwater management in Anguilla.
Implemented under the EU-funded Green Overseas Programme, implemented by Expertise France, the project was designed to strengthen Anguilla’s ability to sustainably manage its limited groundwater resources in the face of climate change, increasing demand, and growing risks such as salinisation and contamination.
The mission formally opened on December 1, 2025, with a leadership briefing at which consultants presented the project’s main findings, results, and proposed next steps. In attendance were the Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing, Information Technology & E-Government Services (MICUHITES) Hon. Jose Vanterpool; Permanent Secretary Mrs. Jacqueline Niles; Principal Assistant Secretary Mr. Travis Carty; and representatives from the Department of Health Protection, Department of Water Services, Department of Natural Resources, and MICUHITES.
Speaking at the briefing, Minister of Infrastructure, the Hon. Jose Vanterpool, underscored the importance of the work, noting that “Water sustainability is one of Anguilla’s most pressing priorities. This project gives us the evidence and direction we need to protect our groundwater resources and ensure they can support our people, our economy, and future generations.”
Following the briefing, a prioritisation workshop was held with the Department of Water Services and the Department of Natural Resources, focusing on the practical application of the Integrated Groundwater Resource Management Plan (IGRMP). Discussions centred on implementation challenges, sequencing of actions, and concrete next steps to move from planning to delivery.
Sector-focused engagement was a key feature of the mission. A meeting with the Department of Agriculture and farmers explored the study’s findings in relation to irrigation needs, alternative water sources, and the risks associated with the use of saline water for agriculture, highlighting the close link between groundwater protection, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.
Capacity-building activities were a central part of the mission. Technical workshops reviewed the proposed groundwater monitoring plan, addressing operational challenges, logistical considerations, and sampling requirements, including laboratory analyses that must be conducted outside Anguilla. MICUHITES staff participated in hands-on training sessions covering geohydrology and groundwater monitoring, aimed at strengthening long-term stewardship and institutional understanding of Anguilla’s groundwater system.
Field visits to the landfill and fuel depot looked for pollution impacts on nearby wells, while additional site inspections validated locations for future monitoring wells. Engagement with a local drilling company provided an opportunity to review current legislation, discuss recommended improvements, and highlight international best practices, particularly in relation to drilling methods and risk management.
Public outreach and education were also integral to the mission. An interactive session with Fifth and Sixth Form students and teachers at the ALHCS Campus Q helped build awareness of groundwater, climate change impacts, and the shared responsibility for water conservation among young people.
On the final day, a formal debriefing with MICUHITES reviewed outstanding actions and officially closed the project. While the study has concluded, it has also paved the way for continued collaboration. Recognising water as a national priority, the Government of Anguilla and Royal HaskoningDHV are preparing a follow-up initiative to further map groundwater conditions using advanced geophysical techniques and high-end monitoring equipment.
Reflecting on the project, the Royal HaskoningDHV Team Leader stated: “Working closely with Anguilla’s institutions and stakeholders has been central to this project. The commitment we’ve seen across government, technical teams, and the wider community provides a strong foundation for protecting groundwater resources and turning plans into lasting action.”
A key output of the project is the development of two digital information brochures. The public-facing brochure explains what groundwater is, why Anguilla’s groundwater is under pressure, what individuals can do to help protect it, and what actions the Government is taking to safeguard this vital resource. The second brochure, aimed at the private sector and other stakeholders, focuses on legal obligations and best practices guided by the Integrated Groundwater Resource Management Plan, as well as the Water and Wells Act and the Groundwater and Seawater Abstraction Regulations 2024.
Together, the dissemination mission and the broader project represent a significant step toward safeguarding Anguilla’s groundwater resources.
The project forms part of the Green Overseas (GO) programme (https://www.green-overseas.org/), a European Union (EU) funded effort implemented by Expertise France to support sustainable development in overseas territories. Haskoning, a consulting engineering company from the Netherlands, is implementing the project.
