United Progressive Party leader Jamale Pringle has pledged immediate relief measures to address Antigua and Barbuda's ongoing water crisis, describing the situation as an "indignity" that demands urgent action.
Speaking at the party's campaign launch, Pringle painted a stark picture of daily life for affected residents — families rising in the early morning hours to fill buckets, parents unable to bathe their children before school, and elderly citizens waiting on water that never arrives.
"This is not inconvenience. This is indignity," he told the crowd.
Pringle announced that a UPP government would remove all taxes on water tanks, pumps and pressure systems, providing households with immediate financial relief while longer-term infrastructure solutions are pursued. The party also intends to accelerate pipeline expansion, improve maintenance of reverse osmosis plants, and activate existing community water storage tanks.
The goal, Pringle said, is straightforward: reliable, 24/7 access to water for every household across Antigua and Barbuda.
The current administration has invested millions of dollars in addressing water supply challenges, which remain a significant concern. The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has stated that water availability has improved compared to recent years and is no longer as scarce as it once was.
Separately, APUA has launched a Utility Amnesty Programme targeting residential customers whose electricity, water, or telephone services have been disconnected for more than 180 days. The initiative follows a Cabinet decision taken in April 2026 and is designed to help affected households restore access to essential utility services.
Customers whose services were disconnected on or before September 30, 2025, are eligible to apply under the programme. APUA is encouraging all eligible residents to take advantage of the amnesty to regularize their accounts and restore their connections.
