Vacuum Sewer Connections for 40 Coastal Lots

Picture living steps from the ocean, but your home’s wastewater has nowhere to go except into the soil beneath you. That’s been the reality for dozens of coastal properties between Belnem and Hato. Every flush, every sink drain, disappearing into the ground — and eventually into the sea.
Now, change is on the way. Forty of these lots will be equipped with vacuum sewer pits, each tied directly to Bonaire’s central wastewater treatment plant. No more seepage. Just a clean, reliable path for every drop. “We live right by the ocean. You want to know for sure your wastewater is handled the right way,” says one resident.

Why the coast can’t wait

When wastewater reaches the groundwater, it doesn’t stop there. It travels carrying contaminants straight to the shoreline where Bonaire’s coral reefs, fish, and seagrass beds should thrive. In this fragile coastal zone, even one leak is too many. Connecting these lots means protecting the reef, safeguarding public health, and keeping the island’s most iconic waters clear.

A system built for now — and later

Each new vacuum pit will plug into the island’s existing network. They’re designed for today’s homes, yet flexible enough to serve larger buildings like hotels or apartment complexes if development grows. That future-proof design keeps the system efficient without extra disruption down the line.

The difference you can see

Once these connections are complete, more wastewater will be treated instead of leaking into soil and sea. That means less pollution, fewer illnesses, cleaner beaches, and a healthier marine environment. And it’s done in a way that won’t place heavy costs on homeowners making sustainable progress something the whole community can stand behind.