Seven Seas Water Group and the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) have officially opened the Barnacle Point seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant, strengthening water security for communities in Antigua’s northwestern corridor.
The new facility is the second Water-as-a-Service desalination plant to be commissioned in Antigua within a year and adds 2 million imperial gallons per day (IMGD) of drinking water production capacity.
Barnacle Point plant expands reliable water supply
Located adjacent to APUA’s existing Ivan Rodrigues desalination plant, the Barnacle Point facility has been designed to integrate with existing infrastructure, enabling efficient delivery and operation.
The plant forms part of a Water-as-a-Service agreement signed between APUA and Seven Seas Water Group in March 2024. Together with the Ffryes Beach desalination plant, which was commissioned earlier in 2025, the two facilities will provide up to 3 IMGD of reliable, high-quality drinking water.
Water production at the Barnacle Point plant began in November 2025.
Strengthening water security and resilience
The Honourable Melford Nicholas, Minister of Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy, said the project plays a critical role in improving reliability in one of Antigua’s most important service areas and reflects the government’s commitment to addressing longstanding water challenges.
APUA Chief Executive Officer John Bradshaw said the additional capacity enhances the utility’s ability to respond to growing demand while supporting long-term water security. He also highlighted the development of local technical capacity and the benefits of integrating new production with existing assets.
Water-as-a-Service model supports long-term delivery
Henry Charrabé, Chief Executive Officer of Seven Seas Water Group, said the project demonstrates how the Water-as-a-Service model can deliver dependable water supply while maximising existing infrastructure.
The Barnacle Point plant is expected to play a key role in supporting Antigua’s water resilience as demand continues to grow and climate pressures place increasing strain on freshwater resources.
