Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said the plan was to push water from Paraquita Bay to Sabbath Hill, across to the ridge going west and across to the east. Photo: Internet Source

Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) hosted Honestly Speaking on April 7, 2026. Photo: Facebook

This is according to Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5). The minister guest-hosted Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM on April 7 2026, in the absence of host Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline. 

Hon Rymer said he is unsure as to why that water plant was decommissioned around 2015 or 2016. 

“Since then, we have been faced with water challenges going towards the west…but I know when Biwater came on stream, now Seven Seas, the plan was to push water from Paraquita Bay, where it is being produced, to Sabbath Hill and then across to the ridge going west and across going to the east as well.”

Water concerns are real

Hon Rymer acknowledged that there is a water challenge in the Virgin Islands (VI). 

“The concerns are real, and I just want to acknowledge that, and I mentioned that the fix wouldn’t be a quick fix, and we are working diligently, we are working as efficiently as possible.” He added that partners have been engaged to upgrade the water infrastructure 

“We would have signed a contract for the reservoir to be repaired and that contract is in excess of 1.8 million dollars.”

Of the 100 million dollar loan, Rymer said, 8 million dollars have been allocated to address the water infrastructure. 

“We are burning through that money in terms of getting equipment, doing repairs, buying new pipes, and we are definitely working as diligently as possible.”

The minister said quite a bit of inoperable PRVs, responsible for maintaining pressure within the water infrastructure, have been replaced. 

“We had a lot of those equipment not working, and where there is demand, the pressure in the pipes go beyond what they can sustain.” 

The Water and Sewerage Department also received training from Operators Without Borders. “They came in to do the training with the water and sewerage guys to make sure they understand the importance and ensure that they are properly trained on [the] equipment.”

Hon Rymer added that there is an incentive program that he is trying to get before the Cabinet, "in terms of addressing the water challenges", that will give relief to consumers, including farmers.