‘The issue of water woes is multifaceted’- Fmr W&SD Director Willock
![The Seven Seas Desalination Plant in Paraquita Bay was previously BiWater. Mr Willock said he initially supported the BiWater project because of the terms and conditions of the contract in which the plant will be reverted to the people after 17 years, [and] there were provisions in the contract for leak detection, management of water leaves and training of water and sewerage staff.' Photo: VINO/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x____DSC0291.JPG)
Mr Willock, who spent seven and a half years as the Director of the Department, noted there are three main reasons why residents cannot get water; the infrastructure, the needs of the Department and the water plants.
The former Director noted that it is his understanding that the Department “has no engineers” which, if accurate, is “sad.” There needs to “be proper monitoring of water levels and a programme for pipe pressure management to reduce the frequency of broken pipes.” The former Speaker of the House of Assembly also opined that the infrastructure needs urgent attention to upgrade pipes and also improve water distribution areas.
Mr Willock noted that he was pleased to learn that a new reservoir was built in Long Bush and the plant at the Elmore Stoutt High School has been reactivated, which should bring more relief to the system.
Water plants & BVIEC
The former Permanent Secretary also said the issue of the electrical grid update and the water plants must be addressed as whenever the power goes off, the plants cannot distribute water so therefore reservoirs cannot be filled, “resulting in the department not able to distribute water to homes and businesses.”
Mr Willock also said the issues of leaks and water being stolen contribute to the lack of government revenue.
As for the BiWater matter, he said when he became the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works, BiWater was already being discussed. He said he “supported the project because of the terms and conditions of the contract in which the plant will be reverted to the people after 17 years, [and] there were provisions in the contract for leak detection, management of water leaves and training of water and sewerage staff.”
However, something went wrong and he left the department to pursue further education, and “When I came back the BiWater contract was already agreed to by Cabinet.”
My good integrity & a fighter -Willock
Mr Willock noted that he was told that the morale at the W&SD is low and the field employees are not getting overtime pay. “When I was there we fought and received a flat rate of $500.00 for persons working over time, we fought for tools to work with, better working conditions, we fought for hazardous allowances for persons working in raw sewage and promotion for staff, including the sister islands. I am proud of my tenure at the department," he noted.
When asked by Ms Rosan, who many people believe is biased, if he benefited in any way from BiWater, the one-time Director said “I am surprised by that question for a man of my integrity" and that he can state with no fear of contradiction that “I have never benefited personally in any way from BiWater.”
The former director of the WSD noted that unless the issues he raised are addressed “the water woes will continue.”
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