$15 Billion Water Sector Investments This Year – Minister Samuda

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the Government is investing more than $15 billion into the water sector this year to address longstanding infrastructure issues.

He said that improvement works will be carried out across water, sewage treatment and irrigation.

He noted that the investment by Government aims to achieve water resilience through a series of strategic projects to modernise pipes, treatment plants and irrigation systems across the island.

The Minister was delivering the keynote address at the World Water Day Exposition 2026 on Friday (March 20) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus in St. Andrew.

The event was held to observe the United Nations designation, which is recognised annually on March 22. The day is being celebrated this year under the global theme: ‘Water and Gender’ and is being marked locally under the sub-theme: ‘Water For All: Inclusivity and Equity’.

Minister Samuda said that World Water Day provides the opportunity to assess the state of the world’s water resources.

He noted that while many nations are currently facing chronic water shortages where the resource is being measured in days and weeks, Jamaica remains in a comparatively strong position.

However, he warned against complacency.

“We are very cognizant of the risks of a continued changing climate, of continued shifting weather patterns, because ultimately, the stability of our society, the future of our economy is indeed put at risk with reducing water supplies,” Mr. Samuda said.

He informed that an assessment carried out by the Water Resources Authority (WRA) more than two years ago, found that Jamaica still has sufficient freshwater to meet current and projected demands for both potable water and agriculture.

He noted, however, that the surplus has declined over the last 30 years, necessitating the need for investment in water infrastructure to build resilience.

“So, we gather for World Water Day to ensure that you are very clear on what the state of our water resources are and … how we manage those water resources to ensure you have water in your pipes at home, to ensure our farmers have water in the canals to feed Jamaicans, and indeed, to ensure that your children’s children will still have the resource,” the Minister stated.