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Baugher’s Bay plant under new management!
Sage Utilities has been contracted by Government for the management and operation of the Baugher’s Bay Plant over the next six months effective December 1, 2012. The plant remains the property of the VI Government.
The signing of the contract, which took place yesterday November 29, 2012 in the conference room, Office of the Premier, ensures the production of hopefully 950, 000 imperial gallons of water per day which should clear up some of the issues of water shortage that the Territory is now facing, hopefully within the next few months.
The arrangement, according to Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool, also includes an assessment of the current operations, including the Well Fields with an emphasis on bringing them back to their modern operational status.
He also said that since March 2010 Government has had the full responsibility of the operation of the Baugher’s Bay Desalination Plant and that from then to now a great deal of money has been expended to refurbish, manage, maintain and operate the plant.
“The Baugher’s Bay play is responsible for most of the water production on Tortola. Although we have tried to maintain the plant at the best of our abilities, the truth is we lack the full technical expertise and management structure to ensure it functions at its full capacity.”
As a result of the challenges to management, Hon. Vanterpool said, the plant’s expenditure increased while production decreased. “At best production levels have been inconsistent. At its full capacity, the Baugher’s Bay Plant should produce approximately 1 million imperial gallons of water per day. On average it is currently producing 650, 000 imperial gallons per day and over the last seven months capacity has dropped sometimes to as low as 350, 000 imperial gallons per day.”
Minister Vanterpool continued that the lack of a formal structure and management affected the budget and the operation of the Water and Sewerage Department and ultimately the reliable delivery of water to residents in the Territory.
“It has usurped the budget tremendously, overextended our human resources at the Water and Sewerage Department because they could not have focussed as well as they wanted to at times on their core objectives since they are also Government’s eyes and ears to ensure the plant was being managed properly. Obviously residents suffered as a result of the constant water rationing that had to be implemented due to the low levels of water in the system. All in all we felt that we could not continue to function like this.”
There will be a fixed operation cost of $50, 000 monthly to operate the plant and in addition Government will be paying Sage Utilities Holdings Limited an added incentive of $2.50c per 1000 imperial gallons, which, according to Hon. Vanterpool, represents the lowest costs to Government for the purchase of water throughout the Territory in terms of managing the plant.
“This contract signifies a move in a positive direction to ensure that we can provide a clean and reliable source of municipal water for residents and visitors of the Territory....This is an interim measure until Biwater, who is contracted to produce water, is in a position to begin their production at their Paraquita Bay plant.”
Regarding water quality, Hon. Vanterpool said a Standard Water Quality is stipulated in the contract that Sage Utilities Holding Limited must meet and he expects that to be the case.
Minister Vanterpool also disclosed that he will be giving a more comprehensive statement on the subject of water in the Territory at the next Sitting of the House of Assembly.
Managing Director of Sage Utilities Holdings Limited Mr Meade Malone said that on behalf of the more than 1000 shareholders of Sage Utilities Holding Limited, he wanted to thank Government for allowing him the opportunity of being of service to the Territory in the capacity of managing the Baugher’s Bay plant.
“As a result of the Shareholders ownership in Ocean Conversion, we currently provide water to the Territory through Ocean Conversion Bar Bay facility in a reliable and efficient manner,” Mr Malone stated.
He assured Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith that the company has gathered the necessary human resources and it is its full intention to ensure that the same level of service and reliability is provided through the Government’s Baugher’s Bay facility.
“As you know that facility is very familiar to the team that will manage the plant. Our first step will be to quickly assess the state of the current plant as well as its Well Fields and we report to you on our findings...We will use the knowledge and operational experience to produce the maximum level of water possible by the facility.”
Mr Malone also disclosed that Government will provide materials, equipment and spare parts necessary for the plant’s efficient operation.
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