Arrindell takes part in Netherlands wastewater programme

Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita R. Arrindell attended and addressed a capacity-building programme at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education during a five-day mission to the Netherlands focused on circular-economy approaches and climate-resilient wastewater management.

The programme brought together government officials, utility representatives, private-sector companies and World Bank specialists from Sint Maarten and Peru. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO, organised the initiative, while IHE Delft, the World Bank Group and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Peru coordinated the training programme.

Arrindell said wastewater systems for small island states should be environmentally sustainable, economically viable and affordable. She said infrastructure planning should take account of Sint Maarten's vulnerability to hurricanes, flooding and other extreme weather events.

The programme included workshops on financing and investment, water reuse, aquifer recharge, water governance, and large- and small-scale wastewater-treatment facilities. It also followed earlier discussions between the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary and IHE Delft on water education, sustainable water management, knowledge exchange and possible collaboration involving students and technical experts.