UPDATE: Aqua Design Ltd blamed for VG water woes
This is according to a press release issued by Government Information Service (GIS) earlier today, June 24, 2015 and comes a day after this news site reported that residents on Virgin Gorda were at wits end over water woes on the sister island. The residents claimed the situation had worsened shortly after general elections.
“This is a deception, we are being deceived, water is the most important commodity and we can’t get it. The day after elections we out of water…and everyday it’s getting worse,” an outraged resident of North Sound told Virgin Islands News Online.
The affected residents had also called on Government to settle the alleged contract issues with Aqua Design Ltd and “stop punishing” the people on island, including the many tourists.
“Residents on the sister island have been experiencing interruptions since April this year, as a result of low levels being produced by the Aqua Design Water Company,” the GIS release stated.
Water supply will be restored by end of this week
According to the same release, the Ministry of Communications and Works, in collaboration with the Water and Sewerage Department, is working to ensure that the public water supply on Virgin Gorda is restored by the end of this week.
It quoted Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool as saying, "I assure you that we have been working diligently to rectify the problem at the plant and we are very close to the point of resolution."
And acting Assistant Secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mrs Margaret Jones-Greene, stated "We are reviewing the best options to get water to Virgin Gorda immediately, prior to resolving the issue with the Aqua Design Water Company."
Reports are that root of the problem is Government not renewing the contract of Aqua Design (BVI) Ltd, which is responsible for the production of water on the island.
Efforts to reach personnel from the said water company for a comment were futile.
However, Back in February 2015 Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr Anthony S. McMaster had spoken to the issue of the signing of a contract for production of water on the island and at that time he had said they were expecting that all would have been well no later than April of 2015.
He had also said the contract not being renewed with Aqua design Ltd is not the problem as Government was in discussions with Aqua Design Ltd. According to Mr McMaster, Government was expecting that by the latest of April 2015, month end, water supply at Virgin Gorda would have been boosted.
This has been the opposite, however.
Water to be barged to VG from Tortola
Virgin Islands News Online had received reports that water would have to be barged to Virgin Gorda from Tortola, however, this was denied by Mr Mc Master when contacted on June 23, 2015.
It turns out, however, that our reports received were accurate as the GIS release stated that the Ministry of Communications and Works is making arrangements to have water barged from Tortola to Virgin Gorda today, Wednesday June 24, 2015 to tap up the reservoirs and provide some relief for residents on the sister island.
Director of the Water and Sewerage Department, Mrs Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, said once water is trucked to Virgin Gorda and the reservoirs are filled to a certain capacity, residents across the entire island will have access to a more regular supply of public water.
See previous article published June 23, 2015
Water woes 'unbearable' – VG Residents
- say water woes have worsened since general elections
Residents of Virgin Gorda, especially those in North Sound, are crying bitterly about the current water woes on the island, claiming that it’s at an unbearable stage.
‘Well’ runs dry after elections?
“This is a deception, we are being deceived, water is the most important commodity and we can’t get it. The day after elections we out of water…and everyday it’s getting worse,” said an outraged resident of North Sound.
The feeling of deception creeps in on residents as they said shortly after elections, on June 17, 2015, to be exact, the Government of the Virgin Islands through the Government Information Services (GIS) had circulated a notice indicating certain times of day that water would have been made a available to residents both of North Sound and Valley.
It reads, “Challenges in water production has impacted the Department's ability to distribute water to our customers. The Virgin Gorda community should note the following: Customers in The Valley are advised that the water supply will be available from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Customers in North Sound are advised that the water supply will be available between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., and again from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
Both Valley and North Sound residents said the time they have since been receiving water is not in keeping with the schedule. “We can’t take this anymore, we calling on the Premier to intervene this minute and do something about this now.
“They say one time on the schedule and that’s not what is coming. They need to sign the contract with Aqua Design or whoever they have to sign with and move on and stop punishing people,” said one woman.
Several residents of North Sound said the worse has been over the past weekend as they had absolutely no water for Saturday and Sunday and yesterday Monday (June 22, 2015) it was on for a very short time.
Some had also alleged that the Government was in the process of barging water from Tortola to the sister island but, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr Anthony S. McMaster, this is totally not true.
Are the water woes a result of contract issues?
Mr McMaster is currently off island and briefly spoke to this news site when contacted, however, what was not gathered from him were the concerns about the non-existence of a contract with a water producing company in Virgin Gorda.
Back in February 2015 Mr McMaster had spoken to the issue of the signing of a contract for production of water on the island and at that time he had said they were expecting that all would have been well no later than April of 2015.
“First and foremost, I must make it clear that all the contracts that we have signed with all the water companies there are provisions in them for how contracts are renewed to go into the future and even when we are going through the discussions for renewal…both you and I would agree that if you have a 10-year contract a lot takes place over that 10-year period so when times comes for renewal a lot of discussions take place to ensure that it is renewed in a fashion that is both comfortable to the company and to the government,” stated Mr McMaster in February 2015.
He had said the contract not being renewed is not the problem as they are in discussions with Aqua Design Ltd currently and the process is going well. “It’s interesting sometimes how people say the things that they say and I wonder if we are trying to get to amicable solutions or we are trying to create confusion, I actually have to say it that way,” said Mr McMaster.
According to Mr McMaster, they were expecting that by the latest of April 2015, month end, water supply at Virgin Gorda would have been boosted. “We would expect that by the end of April at the latest more than likely some sort of official arrangements would be in place to ensure that productivity takes place and that we are able to produce at a capacity that’s necessary for us to be able to supply all of our customers.”
Back then a prominent figure in the community had said she was specifically hurt on learning that the root of the problem was as a result of the government not renewing the contract of Aqua Design (BVI) Ltd, which is responsible for the production of water on the island.
“We heard that things will get worse, the building is not being maintained because the government hasn’t renewed Aqua Design’s contract, that’s what I understand why they (Government) treating us so bad. They haven’t renewed the contract that is why we are not getting water, sometimes two days no water, no water, water woes in Virgin Gorda,” alleged one resident back in February and when contacted this morning said, “Just what I told you that last time is just what happen. It got worse and we suffering and government covering down the issue. Benefits of a snap election I must say.”
Several attempts were made to secure confirmation from Aqua Design (BVI) Ltd to confirm whether or not allegations of their contract not being renewed were true, but all attempts failed. Efforts to reach the Director of Water and Sewerage Mrs Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and works Mr Andrew St Hilaire and the responsible Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool.
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50 Responses to “UPDATE: Aqua Design Ltd blamed for VG water woes”
Forget the runway extension, with no quality water, the rest of the VG resorts will have to close.
NO WATER = NO TOURIST INDUSTRY.
I wonder if those elected had to deal with this injustice if even for one solid day if the problems would be resolved quicker.....Oh beautiful Virgin Island, you former qualities can never be restored.....sigh.
If we really get back to asking God's favour problems would be solved. Let's not blame politics, tell God about this trial and you will see rain fall from the heavens and we be thankful
What I do not get is, if you are going to take the water off for extended periods of time, why not put the water on at reasonable times when residents are home from work so they are able to wash and fill buckets with water until the next schedule water hour(s)...is that so hard to do? does it take a rocket scientist to figure that out? YET close to the 1st of the month you will see well published disconnection notices cause heaven forbid people do not pay their water bill for the useless line rental and the 2-3 hours a day, if they are lucky, that they are able to catch the water flow.
I sometimes wonder if this is the BVI or some Sub Saharan country. Then again even the Sub Saharan countries have wells from which to gather water...I guess we should all to go Tortola one day when One Mart has its sale and stock up on the cases of water for the inevitable days we have to endure water shortage again. This situtaion is so f**king pathetic now all one can do is simply throw their hands up to God and say "this is my BVI"
Perhaps the worst part about this is that NO ONE is giving any real solid reason as to why this is happening, keeping the residents....refugees in the dark. This is almost like a form of civil terrorism. NO Minister, Director of W&S, District Rep answers....I just dont understand what we did as a community to deserve this type of treatment....will someone at least answer that?
Prior to the election, Mr. O'Neal was quoted as saying; "My love for my people and my district and my recognition of their unrealised potential keep the passion burning in my spirit.” He also stated very clearly that when it came to all the other candidates he was running against, that "actions speak louder than words".
So I suggest you call upon your "action man" and light a fire under him to get this situation sorted out. That's what he is there for.
So nothing good has happened since elections? Everybody crying about "ever since election......." blah blah! The water situation is shameful and didn't happen before or after the last elections. If we the people cared about this Territory as opposed to wanting to leach off Government in every conceivable way, we would be farther ahead. We only care for ourselves and therefore only realize problems and want solutions when the problem affects us directly. When the problem presents itself, unless it's affecting you, you don't give a $h*t. It's just like NHI and other issues now, you don't want it, you don't care about it because you good. But when the time comes that you need these very things, you will then start kicking up. When politicians were house to house campaigning, how many people you think talked about water, as opposed to a contract they want, they behind on something so they want money, they want a position, etc. etc. How many? We are our biggest enemies and once we continue to be selfish, short-sighted and greedy people the politicians will forever take advantage of us. I thought Biwater was the solution to the BVI problems? Many of you laughed and cheered because Investment Club/OC were being put out of business. Laugh now.
A bit of news from the Ministry of (lack of ) communication andworks is needed PLEASE!!!
Just to answer your question. He is in Tortola where the rest of them are. perhaps having a nice cold shower
Hon Mark Vanterpool during the election campaign he said and I cote the people of Virgin Gorda will no longer have to worry about water that his Government have sins a new contract agreement with the water company on V G. to this day no contract is sind mark and his Government take we the people for fools they lie to much Government have not allegedly paid the water company for ten months
this is b.s i paying for a service and i aint getting no service, it's criminal
Take it or leave it he is doing the minister d**ty works.
Just curious.