‘There is quite a lot of [water] theft but there is quite a lot of leaks’- Hon Rymer
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, signed a contract with Water Research Centre Limited (WRC) for a consultancy for the provision of Leak Detection Services.
At the contract signing ceremony on July 11, 2024, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) said that leak detection is an ongoing challenge, and it is essential to critically understand why some persons are not receiving water.
“We have embarked on this project because we understand that there is quite a lot of theft but there is quite a lot of leaks on the system and it is essential for us to identify those,” he said.
The Works Minister added, “There needs to be a holistic approach in terms of leak detection throughout the Territory, knowing that we have age-old infrastructure”.
$104.7K contract signed
The primary objective of this contract valued at one hundred and four thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars (USD $104,750.00), is to conduct capacity development of local contractors and the Water and Sewage Department, to improve leak detection and to curtail non-revenue water.
According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS), the consultant will work with the Water and Sewerage Department and community personnel to identify and locate water leaks within the BVI water distribution system, including both visible and non-visible leaks, to reduce water loss and improve efficiency.
The project has a scheduled duration of six weeks and is anticipated to be completed by October 15, 2024.
Not a one-time fix- Anthony S. McMaster
Chief Executive Officer of the RDA Mr Anthony S. McMaster said, “At the RDA, we are excited of the Ministry’s intention to attack this plaguing situation. This project is designed along the spheres of one of RDA’s three remits. We are linked to capacity building and the Ministry saw an opportunity to utilize this project to build capacity of not only the water and sewerage department but also private personnel.”
The CEO added, “This project will not be a one-time fix but will create new industries in the Territory.”
The ‘Leak Detection Consultancy’ contract represents phase one of a three phase approach to Water Optimisation Programme with the RDA. The other two phases include the ‘Supply and installation of water meters for the reservoirs across the British Virgin Islands’, and the ‘Supply and Installation of Domestic Water Meters across the BVI’.
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