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Gov't inks over $100K for RT pump station

Hon. Vanterpool (left) and Premier Smith were all smiles as contractor Patrick Mitchell signed the necessary documents yesterday June, 27, 2012. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In an effort to achieve a higher level of efficiency, Government has signed a contract for $163,967 to improve the Road Town pumping station.

Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool and Bio Safe contractor Patrick Mitchell affixed their signatures to the documents at a signing yesterday afternoon, June 27, 2012 in the Premier’s Office.

According to Hon. Vanterpool, the sewerage overflow and odour are only two of the issues associated with “the much complained about sewerage issue” and with local company Bio Safe on board – Government is one step closer to remedy the smelly issue.

“The sewerage solution is one of the highest priorities of Government over the next few years, particularly in East End and Road Town. Today’s signing with Bio Safe Treatment and Septic Solutions is geared to improve the Road Town pump station so that the rest of works being carried out will culminate with this phase signing off on…the contract will gear towards remedying the problem the Territory sees of sewerage overflow on streets and collapse pipes. The works are focused on the Road Town pump station and replace all the pumps to achieve a higher level of efficiency of pumping sewerage,” he told journalists.

The remedial project, Hon. Vanterpool added, will be done until his Government can build a treatment plant at Bird Point.

The Communications and Works Minister also indicated his confidence in Mitchell, proprietor of Bio Safe, who has been involved in sewerage solution in the Virgin Islands (VI) for nearly two decades. According to Hon. Vanterpool, Mitchell has teamed up with a large company Smith and Loveless, a well known treatment solution company in the United States of America.

To this end, on July 20, 2012 the three pumps are expected to arrive and in three weeks’ time everything should be in place, journalists were told. When works commence, there will be more traffic interruption, but the contractor intends to push to work more in the evenings and week-ends.

Mitchell also disclosed that Smith and Loveless engineers were in the Territory and would build the pumps to suit the specifications. Meanwhile, phase two of the project would include the installation of a pump in Purcell and one at Tobacco Wharf.

CBE Engineering Associates will be overseeing the project.

5 Responses to “Gov't inks over $100K for RT pump station ”

  • pants on fire (28/06/2012, 08:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mitch is from Trindad stop tell lie bout local company
  • Snickers (28/06/2012, 09:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Idiot where does Mitch company pay taxes and Social Secuirty too - Trinidad? Go brush your teeth and get that foul odour out your mouth talking pi$$ so early in the day.
  • prompt (28/06/2012, 10:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Snickers, behave yourself this earley morning do not bother with them. You just have to leave people who speak with no sense at all just like to cause mishap
  • Diaspora (29/06/2012, 19:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The MCW and WSD personnel should be commended for making the much needed and long overdue upgrade and improvements to sewage collection and discharge. The many instances of sewage overflow was unhealthy for human health and the environment and was a nuisance and was a national embarrassment. Morever, the control of the unforgettable odor is welcome. Nonetheless, sewage management is a system of proper collection, treatment (primary, secondary, tertiary), and disposal. The BVI’s practice of discharging poorly treated or raw sewage into the sea is a threat to both human health and the environment. Sewage which comes from households, commercial and industrial facilities, government facilities and institutions contains pathogens, microorganisms, toxic chemicals, heavy metals, excreted pharmaceuticals, nutrients….etc. The presence of nutrients call lead to oxygen depletion. Raw sewage impairs and pollutes the sea, restricting it from its intended uses. Though nature slowly threats raw sewage, it cannot quickly clean up the volume of raw sewage that is being discharge into the sea. Consequently, dilution is not the solution to the sea pollution. Treatment is needed before the sewage water is recycled. Polluted waters adversely impact fishing, swimming, snorkeling, skiing, diving…..etc. Further, it can cause a number of diseases, along with killing reefs, corals, sea grass…etc ;affecting tourism(1 of 2 economic pillars); and making seafood unhealthy and not fit for consumption. Full sewage treatment is a reasonable expectation of a modern society. And to live up to this expectation, the BVI needs to fully treat sewage (primary, secondary, tertiary) to protect human health and the environment. We are lagging and and there is much work to do. Lets get to work, politics aside.


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