Climate Threat Global Challenges

Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia Running Out of Water

Crumbling infrastructure and unpredictable rainfall have led to the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia running out of water – despite millions of dollars in investment. This is reported by The Guardian.

Saint Lucia has so far received a total of around SEK 780 million in international aid in three different projects to tackle the water crisis, but according to experts, the initiatives do not go far enough.

One of the problems is that the island's pipes are old and leaky, another is that the tourist season coincides with the island's dry season, which puts heavy pressure on the infrastructure. Climate change has also led to more extreme droughts and rainfall on the island.

"People should not expect tap water every day"

Saint Lucia's rainy season starts in May. It was a relief for 55-year-old Madeleine Solomon, who is feeling the effects of the island's water shortage.

“I thank God every day, because our situation was really bad,” she told The Guardian.

According to Saint Lucia’s former energy minister James Fletcher, the island’s water needs can be met by rainwater, but then everyone living on the island would have to make sure to collect and store rainwater.

“People shouldn’t expect to have water in their taps every day of the year,” he says.