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Hon Vanterpool apologises for water woes across the territory

- said continued improvements still being made across the territory
The Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) said that the Government has made the resolution of water issues in the territory a priority. "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. Photo: VINO/File
The Minister confirmed that on most days the Biwater plant is producing 1.6 million gallons of water per day. Photo: VINO/File
The Minister confirmed that on most days the Biwater plant is producing 1.6 million gallons of water per day. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) said Government has made the resolution of water issues in the territory a priority.

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.

15 Responses to “Hon Vanterpool apologises for water woes across the territory”

  • 123 (07/07/2015, 08:19) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    I they had let biwater do dem job we would not have been here
  • political snitch (07/07/2015, 08:57) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    He needs to apologize to biwater for playing games with them.
    • @ political snitch (07/07/2015, 11:05) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      It seems like these bloggers have a problem with the messenger....poor mark
  • wize up (07/07/2015, 09:30) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    for many year the VI had water issues: Hon Fraser tried correcting it: as a people we need to make sure the current administration fix our problems and stop bitching: we voted for them therefore have the right to demand that the job gets done: 4 years goes by fast!!!! Write your Congress man/woman and if no action is taken send a copy of your letter to VINO so the territory can have read; take action for the betterment of our territory and playing political he say/she say....
  • VIP Gyal (07/07/2015, 09:40) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    Dr. Smth needed to put illiterate Mark on the back bench and promote Marlon to Communications ministry. That's what we voted for!
  • chad (07/07/2015, 10:27) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Wow ...Apologies for allowing the people to suffer because they don't want to give Mr. Fraser credit for getting us BiWater. All of a sudden since Mr. Jarecki buy out BiWater it is all good. What a set of people.
    • wize up (07/07/2015, 12:22) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ wow; jarecki is a Virgin Islander and it pays to have rich white friends..... so biwater is a locally owned business
  • JACK BE STILL (07/07/2015, 10:55) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    he should not resign because he has failed he people and his ministry
  • Helllooooo (07/07/2015, 11:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man serious awa?
  • ABC (07/07/2015, 12:23) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    For three years plus, this man sat on his butt and instead of addressing the issues which would have ensured that the net work was in place to deliver the 2.3 million gals. which BIWATER is required to produce, he spent his time bad talking the Minister and Bi water. Today we are paying for the full 2.3 million gals. of water even though the company is only producing 1.8 million gals. Because of his foolishness, he is forced to have the other water plants produce and deliver water to the various communities which are not tied into the "Bi water grid." Now that makes sense? What should have been done four years ago, he is now frantically attempting to address. And who is paying for this foolishness? TAX PAYERS.
  • blessings (07/07/2015, 13:18) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    I forgive you Mark' you and Myron are the only two useful ministers---I am proud of how the road works progressing--more blessings to you.
  • BuzzBvi (07/07/2015, 13:51) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well it is a good job whoever is supposed to be producing water on Virgin Gorda did not get the contract that Biwater won.
    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.
  • just saying.. (07/07/2015, 16:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need biwater
  • reality (07/07/2015, 21:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I heard Bertie is chartering speedy to do a special trip so vg people can go to his place on tortola to get a shower so they smell sweet for festival. Mark forgot to mention that his ministry arranged for 20 minutes of rain in vg last week. Unfortunatly the power went out as vip caused some lightning so the water plant shut down for the night.
  • Give me a Break (08/07/2015, 08:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give them a break for now as there is a drought all over the Caribbean at this moment and we are all affected too. I am just coming from one of our Caribbean islands and they have a better water system than ours and they are crying out also. What they do is to lock off the water at a particular time . At least it is there when you are ready to go to school or work and I believe it was locked off late in the nights.So be patient with the govt.


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