Government invites public to consultation on Wastewater Management Project

GREAT BAY--The Government of St. Maarten is inviting residents to a public consultation on the St. Maarten Wastewater Management Project (SWMP) on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Belair Community Center.

The SWMP, co funded by the St. Maarten Trust Fund and the Government of St. Maarten for a total of US $25 million, will significantly upgrade the island’s wastewater system. The project will expand and rehabilitate the sewer network in the Dutch Cul de Sac area and upgrade the wastewater treatment plant on A. T. Illidge Road so it can handle a higher volume and improve sludge treatment.

Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs stressed that the project addresses long standing problems affecting health, the environment and tourism.

“Right now, too many homes rely on aging septic tanks that overflow and contaminate our streets, ponds and beaches,” Minister Gumbs said. “Our current sewage network only serves a small part of the population, and the existing treatment plant is working at about sixty five percent of its potential. This project is about protecting public health, safeguarding our surface and ground water, and preserving the natural environment that supports our economy.”

The project has two main components:

1. Investing in wastewater management
   • Expanding the sewer network in the Cul de Sac district so more households can connect to the public system and reduce reliance on septic tanks
   • Rehabilitating existing lines and pumping stations
   • Upgrading the A. T. Illidge Road wastewater treatment plant to process the increased load and improve sludge management
2. Institutional development
   • Strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for sustainable wastewater services
   • Building capacity within the Ministry of VROMI to manage and maintain the system
   • Establishing a water quality monitoring system to track the impact on ponds, surface water and coastal areas

During the consultation, residents will receive information on the project design, implementation timeline and expected benefits. The session will also feature a presentation on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, outlining potential environmental and community impacts as well as proposed mitigation measures.

Minister Gumbs called on the public to participate actively. “Your feedback and ideas will help shape the final design and guide the future of wastewater management on St. Maarten,” he said. “We want to ensure that what we build reflects community needs and delivers a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable island for everyone.”

All residents, community leaders and business owners, particularly those in the Cul de Sac area, are encouraged to attend the public consultation on Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 PM at the Belair Community Center.

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