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Effluent from Burt Point sewage treatment plant alarms residents

- PS in the Ministry of Communications & Works Anthony S. McMaster assures there is nothing to worry about, as it was a maintenance exercise
The newly commissioned sewage treatment plant located at Burt Point on the main island of Tortola caused major concern today January 30, 2016 when persons observed effluent coming from it and running into the sea. Photo: VINO
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Anthony S. McMaster gave all assurances that the public need not be alarmed as there was nothing wrong. Photo: Provided
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Anthony S. McMaster gave all assurances that the public need not be alarmed as there was nothing wrong. Photo: Provided
Persons called our newsroom and sent WhatsApp messages saying they observed effluent flowing all over the surrounding environs. Photo: VINO
Persons called our newsroom and sent WhatsApp messages saying they observed effluent flowing all over the surrounding environs. Photo: VINO
It was also emitting a strong odour prompting concerns about the possible health and environmental concerns such a release would have. Photo: VINO
It was also emitting a strong odour prompting concerns about the possible health and environmental concerns such a release would have. Photo: VINO
The effluent flowing into the sea. Photo: VINO
The effluent flowing into the sea. Photo: VINO
BURT POINT, Tortola, VI – The newly commissioned sewage treatment plant located at Burt Point on the main island of Tortola caused major concern today January 30, 2016 when persons observed effluent coming from it and running into the sea.

Persons contacted our newsroom saying they observed effluent flowing all over the surrounding environs. This was confirmed when this news site visited the scene.

It was also emitting a strong odour prompting concerns about the possible health and environmental concerns such a release would have.

When we tried to speak to someone in authority at the plant, there was no one to be found on the plant, not even a security guard.

Nothing to be alarmed about

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr Anthony S. McMaster gave all assurances that the public need not be alarmed as there was nothing wrong.

“Actually it is not a problem. We are aware of it. The technicians are actually doing some testing and maintenance to the system. It’s effluent which has already been treated and so there is nothing wrong with it,” he said, speaking to this news site.

He expressed appreciation for bringing the issue to his attention.

“I really appreciate your vigilance because it is things like these that actually make the communities work a little bit better,” he said.

“When people see something that appears out of place you let us know so I do appreciate this,” said McMaster.

This sewage treatment plant which had been pushed for by Third District Representative and now Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA made history when it was commissioned, as it meant that for the first time in 35 years there will be no more raw sewage being pumped out to sea in the Slaney area, which has also affected the Sea Cows Bay and Nanny Cay bays.

21 Responses to “Effluent from Burt Point sewage treatment plant alarms residents”

  • Xxx (30/01/2016, 18:57) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    thanks VINO
  • Brain Drain (30/01/2016, 19:00) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
    stop the rhetoric Mr. Mcmaster as your NDP cares little about the public bringing anything to their attention!
  • wize up (30/01/2016, 19:23) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    VIP run Occean Conversion and brought biwater...
    • @ wize up (30/01/2016, 21:26) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      and NDP run Biwater and brought 7 seas talk that!
      • wize up (30/01/2016, 23:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ wize up: but NDP brought in a water company in 2003 before biwater came to the territory and end up having to pay them a set of money ( I heard so and I love to talk what I hear)
  • farmer (30/01/2016, 19:33) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cant that water be trucked into Pari for agriculture cuz what a waste.
  • please (30/01/2016, 19:48) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
    Lord people sometimes we need to give NDP government a little break they are human like us they they ate not god .don't mind they behave like they are ,there is one God
  • Well said (30/01/2016, 21:26) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    we must be fools plant being tested with no one in sight to see when and where a problem occurs keep that B.S for the blind
  • Cozz (31/01/2016, 00:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop talking chicken kaka mc master.
  • Conflict of Interest (31/01/2016, 03:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All that one interested in doing is making sure that his light plants are being rented from government.
    • shhh (31/01/2016, 07:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hmp, dah dah deeeee. Another secret pop out the bag!!!! Let me at that whistle blower.
    • think he smart (31/01/2016, 11:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      He have them in a family member's name.
  • wize up (31/01/2016, 08:39) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    here some people are blaming the government for a private project; a private hotel closed and the government gets the blame....the sewage system project is a private project; truth be told these infrastructural developments should have been done 25 years ago...after so many years under Virgin Islands Party administrations and the territory still behind by 25 years: be honest with yourself; we are in 2016 and still lack of health care, lack of running water, lack of street lughts, lack of sewage system, poor public roads, lack of electricity; all of the mentioned issues should have be developed under the rulership of the VIP(the GDP of this territory is almost one billion dollars) has nothing to do with politics...those persons in this territory that are over 50 years can safely say while growing up there was lack of running water,lack of health care and the list goes on: from the 1960s until NOW (2016) and the country still got the same issues.( these are cold hard facts not politics)...
  • Meli (31/01/2016, 09:31) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    There goes what little mangroves they have in that area. Just like they killed off the large mangrove area in Pockwood Pond, filled in the site and now uses the land for other industrial purposes. The powers that be care nothing about conservation.
    • dog (31/01/2016, 12:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I so agree. It was a lousy location for an industrial waste project to begin with. too close to population. And it is obvious they don't know how it works or what they are doing.
  • Bernie Sanders (31/01/2016, 10:19) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    You do good they talk,you do bad they talk,you don't do they talk,can't please black people my view..
  • facts man (31/01/2016, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank god again for Joe Frazer he must be given the credit for this plant and now no more raw sewerage being pump in the sea; clap clap NDP is bad of us!
    • wize up (31/01/2016, 13:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ facts man: tell us how Joe fraser was responsible for that subject for many years and did nothing; most he did was stand up in the house of assembly time after time and spoke about how the raw sewage ran into the sea at slaney...under Joe fraser tenure as minister from communication, the raw sewage ran through the streets of road town and green lands(talk that as well, tell the whole story) clap clap!!!
  • fluent (31/01/2016, 14:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    there are quite a few effluent people around these days, some stink more than others...
  • Political Observer (31/01/2016, 16:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is effluent flowing over the land surface? Typically, a treatment plant should be operated in an invisible and seamless manner. It is is there, does its thing, and it is not obvious it is there. The site and facility is aesthetically pleasing with effective odor control. The effluent should be discharged well out to sea so that it can be dissipated without impacting the shoreline. Are the plant operators well trained and certfified? Is this plant operated 24 hours per day and if so why is it inadequately staffed? With a system such as a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), a plant can be somewhat automatically operated and controlled. Not too sure this plant has this technical capacity and capability. What is the level of treatment at this plant: primary, secondary, tertiary or advanced? Can this effluent be reused? Is the quality safe and high enough that it can be rerouted through the water treatment process?
  • DrMum (22/04/2016, 08:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't live on your lovely islands but let me confirm that what these pictures show is NOT AT ALL normal operations for any waste water treatment plant. Obviously the politician is covering his tracks and is no more knowledgable about how the system should work than the ordinary Joe. Hope they got it fixed and running properly.


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