STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKS HONOURABLE KYE M. RYMER AT THE SECOND SITTING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

ON THE REPAIRS TO THE BURT POINT WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Thursday 29^th June 2023

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to provide an update on the work progress at the Burt Point Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Madam Speaker, on 22nd August 2022, the Government of the Virgin Islands signed an agreement via the Ministry of Communications and Works with BiWater International Limited in the amount of two million, five hundred ninety-four thousand, three hundred seventeen dollars and eighty-six cents ($2,594,317.86). To date Madam Speaker, a total of $1,734,321.77 has been expended on the project. 

I previously informed this Honourable House that the plant is currently inoperable, which continues to pose a significant threat to our marine environment. As a result, the importance of this project and reaching to a state where the plant is commissioned once again is a high priority for me and the Ministry.

Madam Speaker, as part of the repairs and commissioning of the plant, we have incorporated a receiving station to allow the sewage pump trucks to dump at the Burt Point plant. This will eliminate the need for the pump trucks to continue to dump sewage in the heart of Road Town at the main pump station at the Roundabout. 

Madam Speaker, as we seek to improve our city of Road Town, we have to put measures in place to enhance our aesthetics and the way that we operate, including at our pump station. Madam Speaker, having these types of operations relocated to the soon-to-be commissioned plant at Burt Point will allow for monitoring and logging of pump trucks while avoiding the site of sewage being dumped in plain sight of tourists and residents alike.

Madam Speaker, my Ministry has engaged BiWater International Ltd. to procure the necessary equipment and material to replace the damaged equipment and material at the plant. As you would appreciate, this equipment and material are specialized and would have an extended lead time in the manufacturing process.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with the most recent work program and schedule, the plant is anticipated to be completed and commissioned in August 2023.  

Madam Speaker, civil works are near completion at the Burt Point Waste Water Treatment Plant, which includes the construction of a new Main Control Center to house the control panels and associated equipment. The majority of the material has been procured and received at the Waste Water Treatment Plant site at Burt Point.

Madam Speaker, BiWater is currently setting up to send forward an Electrical Engineer to complete all electrical works to advance the project toward completion.

Madam Speaker, this project is a priority for my Ministry, and we look forward to the tertiary treatment of the sewage received from the Road Town environs once the plant is commissioned.