Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), right, has pledged to revamp the sewerage network that has negatively impacted residents of East End/Long Look and the tourist hot spot Cane Garden Bay. Photo: VINO/File

It is anticipated that works will commence in the second quarter of 2020 on the sewerage network in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola. Photo: VINO

The first phase of works on the Cane Garden Bay sewerage network is the procurement, assembly, installation and commissioning of a new Waste Water Treatment Plant that will treat all sewerage within the Cane Garden Bay area. Photo: VINO

“The Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities has prioritised Cane Garden Bay, and East End/Long Look communities for a comprehensive overhaul and completion of the sewerage system,” he said during the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Thursday, February 20, 2020.

Sewerage works to commence in CGB in coming months

For Cane Garden Bay, Hon Rymer said the overhaul would be done in two phases.

“The first phase is the procurement, assembly, installation and commissioning of a new Waste Water Treatment Plant that will treat all sewerage within the Cane Garden Bay area. The second phase is the installation of over 3,000 meters of new gravity and force main lines and lateral lines.”

He stated that the ten new pump stations equipped with control systems and backup generators would be installed as part of the network upgrade.

According to Hon Rymer, in 2019 bid documents were issued for the undertaking, and so far, the evaluations were conducted for them.

He continued, “Recommendations of contractors to undertake the two phases are currently being sent to Cabinet for approval. It is anticipated that works will commence in the second quarter, 2020 on both phases.”

Sewerage works in EE/LL likely for year end

Meanwhile, for the East End/Long Look Sewerage Project Honourable Rymer said it would be done in four phases.

“The first phase is the installation of over 1,400 meters of new gravity and force main lines along with the construction and installation of manholes. The first phase commences at Parham Town to Long Swamp.”

He explained that presently, bid documents for this phase of works are available at the Procurement Unit, Ministry of Finance and, “It is anticipated that works will commence on this phase in the fourth quarter, of 2020.”

For the second phase, Hon Rymer informed that it would be directed to Fat Hog’s Bay to Paraquita Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant.

The third phase would be to supply, install and commission seven pump stations and control systems along the entire route from Parham Town to the Paraquita Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant.

The fourth phase would deal with repairs and commissioning of the Paraquita Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant. 

“The second, third and fourth phases will be issued for bid at a later date,” Hon Rymer noted.

Background 

In East End/Long Look, poor water disposal practices have been highlighted by the Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr Lionel E. Michael in 2019, as the reason behind the numerous complaints of wastewater.

He said after monitoring and inspecting the eastern communities of Belle Vue, Fat Hogs Bay, Hodge’s Creek and East End the department concluded, that the issue was coming from poorly managed, private septic tanks.

For Cane Garden Bay, the issue stems from the malfunctioning system with an over 20-year-old plant that is being utilised to treat over 30 lift stations to a growing community.

Government has promised to fund the project and install larger, smart electronic pumps to bring an end to the unbearable stench and other related problems of the system.