Washington, D.C., August 19, 2024 - The Government of Sint Maarten, the National Recovery Program Bureau, and the World Bank have signed a $10 million agreement aimed at improving water quality and quantity in Sint Maarten. An additional $15 million will be financed by the Government of Sint Maarten through a co-financing loan from the Government of the Netherlands.
Investments in wastewater collection and treatment are expected to reduce risks to public health and protect Sint Maarten’s surface water and beaches from environmental degradation. This initiative aims to preserve the country’s natural assets and enhance the sustainability of its tourism economy.
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina emphasized the project's impact: "The Sint Maarten Wastewater Management Project embodies our unwavering dedication to sustainable development and resilience. By investing in critical infrastructure, we are not only tackling the environmental challenges we face today but also laying the foundation for a brighter, healthier future for every citizen of Sint Maarten."
Many households in Sint Maarten use individual solutions that often overflow or release untreated wastewater into nearby waters, harming the environment and water quality. This affects the island's economy, tourism, and residents' health.
“Improved wastewater collection and treatment will provide the people of Sint Maarten with sustainable wastewater management, leading to better living conditions, and improved quality of coastal waters, which is particularly important for the country’s tourism-based economy,” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean.
The project will increase access to safely managed sanitation services and improve wastewater management. It will also expand existing sewerage networks while rehabilitating critical parts of the current sewage system to improve climate resilience and operational efficiency. The existing wastewater treatment plant will also be upgraded.
Further components include monitoring and evaluation activities, environmental and social risk mitigation measures, capacity building, establishment of citizen engagement measures, and grievance redress mechanisms.
About the Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund
The Sint Maarten Trust Fund is financed by the Government of the Netherlands, administered by the World Bank, and implemented by the Government and people of Sint Maarten. Initially envisioned to run through 2019-2025, it has been extended to 2028.
The Trust Fund portfolio amounts to $519.42 million with projects focusing on hospital reconstruction; debris management; airport terminal reconstruction; home, school, and shelter repairs; support to micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises; child resilience; digitalizing government services; and community projects led by local civil society organizations.