Hon Vanterpool apologises for water woes across the territory
This comes in the wake of residents across the territory complaining of suffering water woes, some of which this news site reported on, including in Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.
"We have already put in place measures to temporarily relieve residents in the areas most affected by water shortages,” said Minister Vanterpool during a Statement by Ministers yesterday July 6, 2015 in the House of Assembly.
He said that in recent month government has been working to improve its assets in terms of reservoirs.
"We acknowledge that there is much more work to be done. We will continue to do the work with the goal of having the main issues rectified by the end of this year."
Hon Vanterpool said that for the past six months or so residents of central Tortola have been receiving an improved water supply of water, however, there are still some issues in the east and west and in some central parts of the island such as McNamara and Sea Cows Bay, West End, Carrot Bay, Apple Bay, Belmont Estate, Cane Garden Bay and from Paraquita Bay to Beef Island and that Government is working to improve distribution for these areas on a more consistent basis.
He confirmed that on most days the Biwater plant is producing 1.6 million gallons of water per day.
New agreement for VG
Turning to the sister island of Virgin Gorda, the Minister said that a new agreement is to be negotiated with the plant owner there. But he said that in the meantime a decision was taken to barge water to the island in an effort to provide some immediate relief to the residents there.
"So far we have barged 272,000 gallons of water to Virgin Gorda beginning on Wednesday June 24, 2015 through Saturday June 27, 2015. This provided a temporary means of relief until the membranes of the plant could be upgraded," the Minister said.
He noted that while Anegada is stable they are looking at further upgrades.
It was also noted that all of the water production plants in the territory need standby generators which will kick in as a backup in the event of a power outage and allow for the continuous production of water at these plants.
I apologise
"As Minister responsible for the subject I apologise for the inconvenience caused by the many interruptions of the water supply across the territory and I assure this Honourable House and the people of the territory once again that every effort is being made to remedy the situation of water distribution throughout the territory," he said.
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15 Responses to “Hon Vanterpool apologises for water woes across the territory”
Biwater looking like a better option now. Shame that the Government did not realise that once water was being produced it has to be able to get to the people. Too busy bitching and moaning about who got the contract to see what work needed to be done.