Water is one of the natural resources with which Suriname is abundantly blessed. Perhaps because of this abundance, the integrated approach to the sustainable management of this natural resource is still insufficiently developed and protected. Together with electricity and gass supply, water makes up 4% of the total GDP. Suriname offers great potential for sustainable energy with its large water reserves and solar possibilities and is particularly attractive to industries and companies using great amounts of water and energy. Depending on the area, fresh water and groundwater resources are exceptionally plentiful: more than 5,000 cubic meters (over 1.3 million gallons) per second fresh water flows. For groundwater this equals an amount of more than 100 liters (over 26 gallons) per second.

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The districts of Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Sipaliwini and Wanica are all very rich in terms of both surface water and groundwater. Suriname’s water is clean and safe to drink from the tap and is being drunk by the majority of the people. In Paramaribo approximately 93% of all households have access to a tap water connection, compared to 67% of the coastal area and 20% of the interior. Some people still choose to drink only bottled water, so there are various brands of Surinamese water which are being sold in bottles and gallons.

Water is provided by the state-owned Surinamese water company (N.V. Surinaamse Waterleiding Maatschappij) and the governmental department water supply Dienst Water Voorziening (DWZ).