Saint Lucia, fondly known as the “Helen of the West,” is celebrated for its breathtaking coastlines, lush rainforests, and the hospitality of its people. Behind this idyllic image lies a pressing challenge of wastewater management that threatens both public health and the island’s ecosystems. 

Saint Lucia, like other small island developing states across other regions, faces issues with inconsistent wastewater treatment. In some instances, there are gaps between urban centres and rural communities. Growing population pressures, limited land space, and increasing climate risks compound the situation contributing to risks of freshwater resources contamination, the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems, and added health concerns for vulnerable communities. 

Currently, most households across the island rely on septic tanks and pit latrine systems which is 89% as indicated in the National Policy on Wastewater Management for Saint Lucia. The Water Sector Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (Water SASAP) 2018–2028 highlights that nearly 90% of households, along with the majority of hotels and farms, use on-site sanitation such as pit latrines or septic tanks, largely managed by private operators. Only about 7% of the population, mainly in Castries and Gros Islet, is connected to a public sewerage system operated by the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO). The Saint Lucia National Infrastructure Assessment (2020) deems this below the Caribbean regional average of 17%.  

In this context arises the need to address infrastructure and financing gaps to strengthen technical capacity and raise public awareness on the consequences of untreated wastewater. Already, Saint Lucia has made strong commitments to expand coverage setting targets of 61% treatment rate by 2030 and 80% by 2045. Achieving these milestones will require a combination of scaling up treatment facilities in Beausejour and Castries, encouraging the reuse of treated wastewater in hotels and resorts, and engaging the public through awareness campaigns. These ambitions are underpinned by different national strategies such as the Water SASAP (2018–2028), Saint Lucia Blue Bond Framework (2023) and, Saint Lucia NDC 3.0 (2025) 

GGGI’s Partnership in Advancing Saint Lucia’s Wastewater Priorities 

As the host of the Global Green Growth Institute’s (GGGI) Regional Caribbean Program, Saint Lucia has engaged in a strong partnership that supports its national efforts to accelerate green growth and wastewater priorities. This ongoing collaboration involves policy framework, project design and implementation, and investment mobilization for large-scale, bankable projects that align with the country’s sustainable development agenda. 

The Government of Saint Lucia (GoSL) and GGGI has partnered in developing the National Blue Bond Framework launched during COP28. This framework lays out the obligations for bond issuance and identifies a portfolio of eligible projects designed to generate environmental, social, and economic benefits. Wastewater management is a central focus, with specific provisions for new infrastructure and upgrades to existing treatment systems. 

To operationalize the Blue Bond framework, GGGI continues working closely with the government to prepare a pipeline of feasibility studies to unlock future investments. Funding from the European Commission’s Green Bond Rapid Technical Assistance (RTA) has supported feasibility study for a new wastewater treatment plant at Ganters Bay in Castries assessing the full wastewater chain from sewer and pumping systems to treatment facilities and discharge points. The study also incorporates a preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The findings estimated that upgrading and expanding Castries’ wastewater system, including a new 15,000 m³/day treatment plant, would cost approximately USD 86 million. This project alone has the potential to boost Saint Lucia’s wastewater treatment coverage to 40%, marking a significant step toward the 2030 target. 

Looking ahead, GGGI remains committed to preparing additional bankable projects that can attract financing for further infrastructure expansion for Saint Lucia. Beyond Saint Lucia, GGGI stands ready to partner with other Eastern Caribbean nations in strengthening their wastewater systems as part of broader climate resilience strategies Potential lies in partnership for policy development, infrastructure upgrades, capacity building, public engagement, and access to international climate finance, interventions that can help position countries to close the wastewater gap while driving sustainable, inclusive growth. 

By Juvenal Mukurarinda, Special Assignment Circular Economy and Waste Management for Caribbean Regional Program 

Contact: juvenal.mukurarinda@gggi.org