Saint Kitts and Nevis

 General Information

Saint Kitts and Nevis faces persistent challenges in wastewater management. Most households rely on septic tanks, with limited regulation and no centralized sewerage system. Greywater is often discharged directly into the sea, while urban growth in Basseterre and Charlestown places further pressure on existing infrastructure. Outdated legislation and the absence of effluent standards have left gaps in regulating discharges and protecting sensitive watersheds and marine environments. 

Through GEF CReW+, the country advanced significant reforms and piloted nature-based solutions. At the policy level, the project reviewed the wastewater policy and legal framework and developed a Draft National Wastewater Policy, supported by the creation of National Wastewater Effluent Discharge Standards. These were complemented by a National Strategy and Action Plan on Wastewater Management, providing a roadmap for more coordinated action across institutions. A milestone was achieved with the ratification of the LBS Protocol on 10 October 2024, aligning Saint Kitts and Nevis with regional commitments under the Cartagena Convention. 

At the community level, CReW+ designed and constructed a constructed wetland pilot plant at College Street Ghaut in Basseterre, treating and reusing greywater through a low-cost, ecological system of subsurface flow wetlands. The pilot not only reduced pollution but also demonstrated practical options for reuse and community engagement. 

Together, these activities modernized the policy framework, introduced effluent controls, and showcased sustainable treatment solutions that can be replicated to strengthen integrated water and wastewater management across the islands.