St. Vincent and the Grenadines

 General Information

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines face persistent challenges in wastewater management. Outside of Kingstown’s aging sewer network, most households and commercial establishments depend on septic tanks and soakaway systems, many of which are undersized or poorly maintained. Along the South Coast, where tourism is concentrated, untreated effluent often seeps into coastal waters, contributing to public health risks and degradation of coral reefs. These pressures underscore the need for improved wastewater infrastructure and stronger regulatory measures. 

Through GEF CReW+, the country advanced both institutional and practical solutions. At the policy level, the project supported the preparation of the instruments for ratification of the Cartagena Convention’s Protocol on Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS Protocol), an important step toward aligning with regional commitments to reduce marine pollution. 

At the operational level, CReW+ upgraded water and wastewater management systems at the Belle Isles Prison and Watershed, improving sanitation conditions while demonstrating opportunities for reuse of treated effluent in agriculture. The program also designed, supplied, and installed systems in six hotel facilities on the South Coast, the Kingstown Fish Market, and the distillery in Georgetown, showcasing practical models of wastewater treatment and reuse for both public and private sector facilities. 

Together, these interventions strengthened national commitments to regional agreements while improving sanitation in key institutions and commercial hotspots. By linking ratification processes with tangible infrastructure upgrades, GEF CReW+ helped advance a more sustainable approach to integrated water and wastewater management in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.