Baughers Bay Plant has a “long life”; in full operation
The Baughers Bay Desalination Plant is now in full operation.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Government has spent an estimated $2 million to get the Baughers Bay desalination plant fully commissioned and operating to its full capacity, producing up to one million US gallons per day and capable of generating revenue of up to US $500,000 per month.
Speaking at a press conference held this morning, Tuesday March 29, 2011, exactly one year since the plant was handed over by Ocean Conversion to Government, Minister for Communications and Works Julian Fraser RA gave a detailed breakdown of the works carried out on the plant over the past year, stating that it has been rebuilt in its entirety, from the Well Field to the two Desalination Trains.
While he could not say that the water woes of residents are completely over, the Minister said those who have been facing hardships over the last several months can now be a little more comfortable now that the supply of water will be far more reliable than it has been during the past few months.
When questioned by a reporter concerning the coming “on stream” of the plant at Paraquita Bay and how much longer the Baughers Bay Desalination Plant will be used, Minister Fraser said, “given the conditions that we have undergone this has never been anticipated at the time we got involved in that other plant. And given the conditions and what transpired since then, I think the Plant at Baughers Bay has a long life”.
Asked how much longer Government will remain in water production, the Works minister said it depends whether or not Government can afford it.
“Right now the plant is capable of generating revenues of up to $500,000 per month … and cost is going to be a factor from here on with whatever we do,” he told reporters at the press conference.
Distribution expanded
Minister Fraser also revealed that places that were not getting water before are now getting water with the full operation of the Plant. He said water can now reach up to Sage Mountain which has been made possible through the installation of a pump in Diamond Estate.
Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Julian Fraser RA speaking at the press conference this morning Tuesday March 29, 2011. Photo: VINO
Electricity challenge
Regarding the upgrades on the Plant, Minister Fraser said “this plant is where it is supposed to be and the only thing left for us to do right now is the reliability of the electricity. We have no control over that right now except that the plant had two generators during the time of the old operators and those two generators are totally dead.”
He said the two generators will have to be revitalised to get 100 percent reliability as far as electricity is concerned.
Future of the Plant
However, Minister Fraser told members of the media when questioned if Ocean Conversion will be considered to get back the plant, he said he could not speak as to who will get the plant or what the future holds for the plant but said it all depends on whether Government can afford it.
In further questioning, he revealed that, “as it stands right now I was concentrating solely on getting the plant up and running. I am pleased to report that today, the anniversary of the day the keys were over to us and I am in a position to deliver to the people of the Territory, especially those who have been affected greatly, that the plant is now back in operation. Any other discussion regarding the operation of the plant there on is above my pay grade.”
While reporters questioned whether the turning off of water at nights in some areas will be discontinued, Minister Fraser made it clear that he came to report that the Plant is back in operation. He pointed out that is a distribution aspect of water in the Territory by Water and Sewerage.
One of the new pumps (left) replaced the old one (at right).
16 Responses to “Baughers Bay Plant has a “long life”; in full operation”
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Hold up if it has full capacity…. why the hell me aint had no water in sea cows bay last night…
Partner, the reason you didnt have water is may be you are disconnected for non payment.
and yes a water and sewerage man hook it up for me ha he ha he
i paid my bill and no water in cane garden bay..after all this $$$$$ i still do not ahve water…jah
in deed me did not have any water last night in west end at spy glass hill
You tell us because you voted for the scary spider. I guess one fool voted for another. OJ taking out Frazer come this election!!
We say Thank you very much Honorable Julian Fraser and your hard working team who have worked day and night extremely very hard in fixing the plant and restoring water to we the residents of Tortola.
If the other group were there they might have keep the water off trying to make a silly case for us to go back to the rip off people from Ocean Conversion eating big $$$$$ from we Treasury.
After all there is a god somewhere!
There is a God, maybe not the god you serve.
And BiWater won’t be ‘eating big $$$$$ from we Treasury’? You are so small minded. Read Quiet Storm’s post and them state your peace…
They so bassackwards!
please please biwater is not as greedy and worthless like the NDP-BVI Investment Club-OC crooks
so this means OC will never get this plant back oh well too bad
Why were the back-up generators not refurbished or replaced at the same time that the plant was being upgraded? Now, if there is a black out or brown out the plant will be down. What is up with the project managers at PWD and WSD? Another miss step and self inflicted wound. A missed opportunity to prevent loss of service to customers who have suffered much during the past months. Installing back up generators is not difficult and can be done easily and quickly. The people have been inconvenience enough.
My friend, these are not your little residential/domestic generators we are talking about here. We are talking Mega Watts here. I see you buggs from Platinum and BVI news have slowly migrated to this civilized site. Please do not contaminate it, for it is a true representation of Natures Little Secrets to our overseas viewers.
It is true that the back-up generators are not the small, residential KW generators. Nonetheless, the generating principles are same whether for KW, MW….etc. Either rotating an armature in a magnetic field or rotating a magnetic field around an armature ( Nuclear, steam, hydro, geothermal, diesel engine…etc). In the case of MW generators larger conductors, switch gear, ABT switch, grounding, control circuitry..etc is a little more complex than that required for small KW gen set. And from my personal experience, installing MW generators is somewhat more complex but not rocket science. There are a number of local electricians who are qualified to install these generators effectively and in a timely manner.
Further, it appears as if you believe that installing back-up generators is complex. In that case the generators are a long lead time item that should have been rehab or replace together the plant repair. The plant is critical to the health and well-being of the BVI and we should make every effort to prevent or minimize the plant being off line. Now, with a brown out or black out the plant will probably be offline. The bottom line is that the backup generators should have been part of the plant repair and commissioning process. We need to stop making excuses for planning and operational oversights. Finally, it is probably an oversight but I view the Platinum but never blogged on the site.
do me one big favour please do not give this plant back to ocean conversion…save some money and run it your self…them to greedy
when my water stays on for at least three days without going off then I will be impress with Julien Frasier…until then it’s more blah blah blah blah
LET ME TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING Cane Garden Bay MY HOME TOWN HAS NOT had water IN three months….CAN SOME BODY HELP US DOWN HERE AS ALVIN IS USELESS