The water scarcity that the Valley, Virgin Gorda, has been experiencing is attributed to three main culprits: The inadequate production of water, the inadequacy of the distribution system and Sargassum Seaweed infiltration.

            The current operational capacity at the Water Production Plant in Handsome Bay is insufficient to meet the community's demands.

            This deficiency has resulted in water being rationed to the customers of the Valley area of Virgin Gorda from time to time.

            Also compounding the problem is the distribution system with inadequate pipes to transmit the potable water throughout the community. The Ministry of Communications and Works will be issuing an expression of interest to obtain the services of a reputable and qualified company to replace and upgrade the water distribution network through a public-private partnership engagement.

            Further compounding the supply of water is the Sargassum Seaweed build-up in the area, which has created further challenges in supplying residents with constant water.

            Efforts are being made to address these issues. The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change is in the process of procuring a boom (floating physical barrier) to prevent Sargassum from entering Handsome Bay, with plans to have it installed by the end of the year.

            In an effort to improve this situation, the water plant company, Aqua Design, advised that they have made arrangements with a local dive company to institute, within the next few weeks, modifications to the present intake structure to reduce the impact from the Sargassum Seaweed.

            The team at Aqua Design has also indicated that they are anticipating the arrival of new membranes, which will improve the plant's daily production. Once all required parts presently on order are received timely, the plant's daily capacity will increase to approximately 430,000 imperial gallons per day by the middle of December 2023.

            These measures aim to alleviate the water scarcity issue and provide a more reliable and consistent water supply for the residents of the Valley, Virgin Gorda.

            The Ministry apologises for inconveniences caused.