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Replacing sewerage lines to commence in January

- Business owners want pump station removed from Road Town
Minister Vanterpool addressing business persons at the meeting last evening November 23, 2011. Photo: VINO
The meeting was called to inform business persons likely to be affected when the project starts in January.
The meeting was called to inform business persons likely to be affected when the project starts in January.
 Sewerage overflow in Road Town has been a long standing issue for businesses as well as residents.
Sewerage overflow in Road Town has been a long standing issue for businesses as well as residents.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The replacement of collapsed sewerage lines, which have been the major reason for sewerage overflow in Road Town and East End, will commence in full pace in January 2012 although contracts have already been prepared for work to start immediately.

Speaking at a meeting with businessmen last evening November 23, 2011 in the Treasure Isle Conference Room, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool said Government was keen on having immediate fixes to the sewerage problem especially in Road Town.

However, it has decided not to go ahead with the replacing of lines now as it would mean businesses and traffic being interrupted, which was not a good idea during the Christmas season. He noted that works would commence speedily in January.

The meeting was called by the Ministry of Communications and Works and CBE Engineering Associates Limited to inform the business community about the project and to also solicit their concerns and suggestions.

Minister Vanterpool recalled that one of his campaign promises was that within the first 90 days in office, he would be making every effort to solve the immediate sewerage problem in Road Town.

“We had decided to start this week. Contracts were already prepared but we have decided to hold off until after the Christmas season as businesses and traffic would be interrupted. In January we will be moving very quickly on it and this is all going to work in connection with the remodelling and retro-fitting the old pumping station for the time being until we can get to the next step... I would say that we will make every effort to ensure that you know what is going on as we move along and have your input and concerns.”

According to the Minister, finance is already available for the project regarding the replacement of sewerage lines, however, Government has already discussed in Caucus to seek funding for other sewerage projects pending, as they are very crucial.

Meanwhile, Carvin Malone of CBE Engineering Associates Limited disclosed that the 2002 master plan for the national sewerage system included public education as an important component.

“Letting the public know, step by step, what needs to be done in order to fix or solve the waste water issues in the British Virgin Islands is key. And as we move forward to replace broken lines it would have interruptions as it relates to businesses and traffic flow so it was important to get the business persons, who would be immediately affected, into a single room so that their concerns could be heard, addressed and let them know that we have taken this into account. They have major concerns, they have voiced these concerns and these are very important in moving forward. Based on what we have heard our plan took most of the concerns into account already.”

Malone added that one of the concerns raised by business owners was the location of the pump station in Road Town and they wanted to know whether or not the pump station couldn’t be moved to the location identified and cleared at Bird Point. He noted that the Ministry would have to make a decision on that.

Hon. Vanterpool had disclosed that the existing pump station would be completely revamped in the next six months as a temporary fix.

Questions were also raised about the cost of the project and whether it was feasible to have a revamped pump station before constructing a new one.

30 Responses to “Replacing sewerage lines to commence in January ”

  • Resident (24/11/2011, 07:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was so embarrassed one day last year when some tourist asked me for directions right there in that photo and I had to stop from holding my breath to give directions. The stinch was so horrible.
  • q-c (24/11/2011, 09:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well saw the action man tis full speed ahead....he seems like another Frazer just doing tings for he distrct
    • i knew it (24/11/2011, 10:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i myself watching him, because i've noticed he shut down every district except his own
      • billy b (24/11/2011, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        the man trying to clean up the place to put more money in your pocket idiot. Does the cruise ship dock in sea cows bay??? NDP said on the campaigne trail that the revitalization of the economy is his number one priority. And guess what, I agree. Are visitors welcomed to your dutty house or do you make an effort to clean yuh mess up first. Mark cleaning up the mess before we have visitors.
      • Fool (24/11/2011, 11:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        so you want him fix all 9 districts in the two weeks he in office???????????????????????????????????????? If your VIP was doing what they had to do he wouldn't have to fix 9 districts, it would have been one or two.
  • pastor grind (24/11/2011, 09:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    thank god for fraser,now we see clearly now bi water was not the problem ,bi water was an excuse for all talk show host and false pretender new life preacher man all about money !!!!!!!!!! that"s y we don't come his church anymore take your time mark u will run out of ideas soon! u are leaning on fraser's strength now i want what was promise to me xmas is coming
    • one mart empty (24/11/2011, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the people don't seem too happy listening to this man who can't even run a supermarket, is the people's affair he going to do lord we moving backwards.
      • billy b (24/11/2011, 11:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ one mart, yeah it empty now, but in brighter days when it was full, I sure you was first in line waiting for your free ham and turkey xmas time. Oh how soon we forget. He was great when he was giving back to his community, feeding you and yuh pikmee, but yuh ole hypocrite self want to kick him because he blocking you white envelope for the sake of the territory. Set au muck
        • one mart empty (24/11/2011, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          sorry billy b i don't support one mart i support kmart ,cost u lesss and price mart now i am enjoying the one in pock wood pond i drive all the way from the east to go their . i don,t like ham or turkey i am a seven day adventist lol
          • billy b (24/11/2011, 13:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            yeah right, how convenient
          • famer brown (24/11/2011, 14:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            it would not be empty for much longer that lil loan he got and now have the government kitty through dat Minsitry it goin be full soon watch!
      • NOT!! (24/11/2011, 11:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ one mart empty. We the people of the BVI are VERY HAPPY with Mark and for all that he is doing!!
      • Mo Sack Fon Seek Her (24/11/2011, 12:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Has anyone anywhere heard from his imperial majesty Keith Flax?
    • billy b (24/11/2011, 11:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @pastor grind. Prrrrrrrr you don't go church anymore, tuff crap!!! Is that between you and preacher or you and God?? You sound like a spoil brat having a tantrum because you aint get what you want. Suck it up and grow up!!!!!!
    • No Sah! (24/11/2011, 11:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank GOD Frazer gone home indeed!! Things getting done the proper way indeed!!
    • the rcok (24/11/2011, 15:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      hush your a.., u jobronie..know your role and shout your mouth!
  • Crank Shaft (24/11/2011, 10:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    See now this is a REAL Government at work! Inform the people! I'm so glad that Carvin got to keep his contract and can now work with the new Government, putting all politics aside! I wish all of them well and will be so glad when that sewerage issue is solved once and for all!!
    • merry xmas (24/11/2011, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      he NDP cannot touch biwater or Cavin contract and they know it so be gald for yourself not cavin deman
  • BREAKING NEWS!! (24/11/2011, 11:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    VIP supporters go sit down!! We done vote you all out!! His campaign was about fixing the sewage in Road Town first and then East End after, town is more important so that is what he is working on!! BAM BAM to VIP Supporters!!!
  • Small head (24/11/2011, 12:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It amazes me how Mark ah fool people..biwater already has a plan for road town to fix all thoes things Mark ah chat bout...relocation is not the priority or an issue check the biwater contract, they have the solutions ppllz
    • Crank Shaft (24/11/2011, 13:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mark said Biwater is not needed for sewerage. He said the work needed in Road Town can be done by Water & Sewerage. Don't mind that the Biwater contract wasn't stopped, it's being reviewed and changes will be made to it. They have to do things in a proper and legal manner so as to not cost the country unneccessary funds! Remember I told you so! Biwater will stay here, but under different circumstances. All those 'freebs' VIP gave them may be given up and we don't need them for sewerage! They only put that in there to sweeten up the deal! We have people here that can do it! W&S been asking for new pumps saying that will solve most of the problem, up to now they cant get them. Action man, don't mind them FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!
    • billy b (24/11/2011, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ small head. You chose the right blog name.lol. Small head, small mind
  • toss (24/11/2011, 18:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    look at that Vanterpool lady she like to be up front and in tings!
  • not in a million (24/11/2011, 19:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    boy Mark you in the middle of two beautiful women...you got life good
  • Quiet Storm (24/11/2011, 20:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a temporary fix. Why couldn't the Water and Sewage Department personnel effect these repairs a long time to mitigate the unhealthy environment, the embarrassing situation, and the unsightly condition. Maintenance and repair crews should have some repair capacity. If not the department is neither operated nor staff properly to meet routine operations. The territory need pumping stations only to move sewerage to treatment plant, not to discharge raw, untreated waste into the sea. Raw sewerage impair the sea restricts it for fishing, swimming and other contact recreation. Upgrading and improving the waste water system need to be a national priority; for left as is present a health hazard. Tourism is one of the twin pillars and clean non-impaired sea water is major selling point. We cannot chop off the hand that feeds us. If left unaddressed, the same resource that attracts the tourists could turn them if it is impaired., i.e., cannot be used for its intended beneficial use.
  • Diaspora (25/11/2011, 12:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop the political nonsense. Proper sewage collection, treatment, and disposal is needed in Road and through out the territory. If this is not done soonest, the sea will become impaired and can not be used for beneficial uses. As The Way Forward article on another site noted, a sewerage master plan is needed urgently. When our waters are impaired and the tourist lines and tourist stop coming, then what do we do? Let's do something before this happens. Losing tourism will be catastrophic to standard of living and quality of life. Lets in invest in treatment plants, not just plants and repairing lines. Let not political score keeping be the downfall of what is already planned and needed. This is not about politicians stroking their egos, their view points, it is about what is good for the territory.


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