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Water system will not be rebuilt 'overnight’- Premier Wheatley

- but said he believes investment made now will create reliable supply of potable water for VI
Inside the Hannah Hill Reservoir while work was being conducted in September 2026. Photo: Ministry of Communications and Works
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has said the Virgin Islands’ (VI) water system will not be rebuilt overnight. Photo: YouTube
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has said the Virgin Islands’ (VI) water system will not be rebuilt overnight. Photo: YouTube
Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), has been described as a high-performing minister who is passionate about getting the job done. Photo: YouTube
Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), has been described as a high-performing minister who is passionate about getting the job done. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has said the Virgin Islands’ (VI) water system will not be rebuilt overnight.

Premier Wheatley said this on September 30, 2026, on Virgin Islands Voice. "You're not going to be able to rebuild your water system overnight. It's going to take a lot of time, and in some instances it's going to be very painful, because when you do the work, when you're connecting the pipes, when you’re repairing the reservoirs, persons are going to be without water for some time.”

The issue of potable water in the VI has been ongoing for many years. The Ministry of Communications and Works, under the leadership of Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), has undertaken work to bring relief to the people of the VI. This includes repairs to reservoirs and replacing aged and broken water pipes.

Hon Rymer ‘very passionate’

“I believe that the minister is extremely passionate about getting the work done, you know, he’s a high-performing minister,” Premier Wheatley said of Hon Rymer.

The Premier added that Hon Rymer doesn’t like it when problems go unresolved. “He puts a lot of pressure on me to make sure he has what he needs to be able to get the job done.”

Premier Wheatley added that it is a team effort, adding, “I believe that all of the investment that we are making right now will create a situation that will result in a reliable supply of potable water for the people of the Virgin Islands.”

An additional five million dollars, the Minister revealed on the show, will be allocated for the water infrastructure.

14 Responses to “Water system will not be rebuilt 'overnight’- Premier Wheatley”

  • facts (12/10/2026, 09:14) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is this man really serious and if that is the case slow one well at the polls we will show you, our votes aint going just come overnight as well we need to see real things going on up to now that consumer protection and basket of goods is a joke and a slap in the face to we the ppl, i done tell myself if by election the green team dont put nothing solid for us the ppl so we can feel an ease on CONSUMER PROTECTION, NO VOTE and another thing you oh so want INDEPENDENCE what did the United Nations(U.N.) say about running and clean water for the people up to now you cant fix that and talking bout problem will not be fix overnight, same thing with we the ppl voting for independence, NEVER! and if it dont get post here im going to the other site that will DEFINITELY post it
  • %100 raise (12/10/2026, 09:25) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Call election we had enough.
  • It’s been (12/10/2026, 09:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    20 years!
  • Marty Probasco (12/10/2026, 09:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Water problem in the BVI....Hmm Solution suggestion. BUILD MORE WATER CATCHMENT RESERVOIRS AROUND THE TERRITORY. THINK PREMIER ET AL... ITS NOT ILLEGAL YET.
  • Now you notice? (12/10/2026, 11:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The water problems cannot be fixed in the absence of a plan. We could start by requiring all new buildings to have catchment systems.
  • YEARS (12/10/2026, 11:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are you serious????? We still talking about this on the eve of election? Like really? How many more years must you and your government need in order to address this issue? Shouldn't this have been your No. 1 priority when you got in the last time. Now you talking about it not going to happen overnight. Not over night but being in for 3.5 years wasnt enough time for you to at least get it close to being completed? What have your government done in the last 3.5 years to address our water issues? I would love to hear your response. Totally unacceptable!!!!
  • Mrs. Twiggs (12/10/2026, 11:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    For some reason this does not surprise me none. Perhaps in the next 50 years? Feel like being sarcastic today.
  • Captain Obvious (12/10/2026, 11:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    what is the plan, this issue has been with us for years, we need a plan t o fix it
  • horrible (12/10/2026, 11:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    CAN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH WATER SUPPLY FOR 30,000 POPULATION, ELECTRICITY BILLS GOING UP, NO PROPER ROADS,,,, WHY AND HOW THEY ARE ASKING FOR INDEPENDENCE?
  • In God trust me, only (12/10/2026, 12:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The public water system in the BVI is not a problem of late, but rather more than three decade plus. It is unfortunate, but true as said by our Premier, Natalio Sajande Wheatley, "The water system will not be rebuilt overnight." It may tater, probably, at least fiver ot more year to rebuild it efficiently, if political leaders don't drag it out many years longer.
    However, the cabinet in power is not without blame. Hopefully more attention will be paid to remedy this matter speedily because of its vital urgent need to help meet our daily life needs.
  • In God trust me, only (12/10/2026, 12:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A major restructuring of the British Virgin Islands public water system is needed. As the population grows larger more positive effort must be gear toward upgrading the now outdated way that inefficient to meet daily requirements. The time to begin is now. Talk wouldn't don't work, but work will talk by it's works. Get working V.I.P.
  • Kye maybe good for D5 (12/10/2026, 14:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    But not good for the country.
  • Give somebody else a chance (12/10/2026, 14:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The present minister for the subject failed.
  • resident (12/10/2026, 17:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    We all give thanks ,it could be much worst....there are others coming in to our country and enjoying every bit of what we hvhave whether rich or coming poor.they are making it , working with rvery strenght they have..we all ways fighten against eachother. Goverment or no goverment....
    I beg us to take a good look the promise at st vincent election,now they are regrets. I see us going in that very direction..now they pulling there hair of they head.
    Are we going that direction....
    I alqays say if a man running into politics and.cant manage his house and family how.in the hell he be lawyal to a countryof 30,000 people. We the need to look all aspect...lol


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