Statement by Hon Kye Rymer
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities
 at the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth
House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands

On Water and Sewerage Network
20^th February 2020

Water Distribution

Mister Speaker, the pump at the Long Trench station has been installed.  The operationalization of this pump is dependent on an adequate power supply which necessitates a 480kw transformer which is now being installed by BVI Electricity Cooperation. This is expected to provide a consistent supply of water to the residents of Sea Cows Bay and surrounding areas.

The Ministry of Transportation, Works & Utilities is expected to sign a contract in the very near future for the supply of over 5,300 ultrasonic water meters along with a wireless automatic meter reading (AMR) system.  It is expected that once these water meters are installed that residents and businesses will be accurately billed for their water consumption.  It is anticipated that the meters will be installed and commissioned by 3^rd Quarter, 2020.

National Sewerage Project

The Ministry of Transportation, Works & Utilities has prioritized Cane Garden Bay and East End Long Look communities for a comprehensive overhaul and completion of the sewerage system. 

The Cane Garden Bay Sewerage Project is being undertaken in two phases.  The first phase is the procurement, assembly, installation and commissioning of a new Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) that will treat all sewerage within the Cane Garden Bay area.  The second phase is the installation of over 3000 meters of new gravity and force main lines and lateral lines.  It will also include the installation of 10 new pump stations with control systems and backup generators.

Bid documents were issued in 2019 for the phased works.  Evaluations were conducted of the bids received and recommendations of contractors to undertake the two phases are currently being sent to Cabinet for approval.  It is anticipated that works will commence in the 2^nd Quarter, 2020 on both phases.

The East End/Long Look Sewerage Project is being undertaken in four phases.  The first phase is the installation of over 1400 meters of new gravity and force main lines along with the construction and installation of manholes.  The first phase commences at Parham Town to Long Swamp.  Currently, bid documents for this phase of works are available at the Procurement Unit, Ministry of Finance.  It is anticipated that works will commence on this phase in the 4^th Quarter, 2020

The second phase of works will commence from Fat Hog’s Bay to the Paraquita Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant.  The third phase of works are the supply, installation and commissioning of seven (7) pump stations and control systems along the entire route from Parham Town to the Paraquita Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant.  The fourth phases of works are the repairs and commissioning of the Paraquita Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant.  The second, third and fourth phases will be issued for bid at a later date.