Director of the Water and Sewage Department Mrs. Pearline Scatliffe-Leonard has said that her department is working to provide a 24 hour service in the various communities, as the Territory joins the rest of the world in observing World Water Day on Friday, March 22.

Mrs. Scatliffe-Leonard who is also Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Water and Sewage Association Inc. (CAWASA) said the theme for this year’s World Water Day “Leaving no one behind”, is a timely reminder for countries, including the Virgin Islands of the rights of people to have access to potable water.

She said, “Currently, we do have challenges and this we expect to have remedied just as quickly as the required infrastructure is in place, or measures taken toward the full realisation of such rights.”

The director said much work has been done since the 2017 hurricanes including the strengthening of reservoirs to provide immediate access to service after a disaster and that the department continues to work with production companies in replacing and upgrading water mains in various communities.  

Mrs. Scatliffe-Leonard added, “In our daily activities, be it at home, school, work or any other area we are all stakeholders of the water that we use, and therefore similarly obligated to protect, safeguard and maintain it.”

The Water and Sewage Departments is working and collaborating with the Departments of Natural Resources and Labour and Conservation and Fisheries to raise awareness of water management and preservation for World Water Day 2019.