UPDATE: Gov't restores cistern @ abattoir in Paraquita Bay
In an advisory issued on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries announced that the cistern challenges at the Paraquita Bay Abattoir have been resolved, and the abattoir is now open for business.
'Water supply still remains a challenge'
The advisory further stated that "while water supply issues in the Paraquita Bay area continue, operations at the abattoir have resumed. However, it added that if public water supply challenges persist beyond the department’s ability to sustain services, customers will be promptly informed of any service interruptions."
As previously reported by VINO, the Premier assured the territory that the government was actively working to resolve the issues at the abattoir, which had been without water for over three weeks.
See previous article published March 20, 2026
Premier assures gov't actively working to resolve water problem @abattoir
- said a new abattoir is to be built
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has addressed the ongoing issues at the abattoir in Paraquita Bay, stating that the ministry is actively working to resolve the water supply problem at the facility.
During a broadcast of Virgin Islands Voice aired on March 18, 2026, the Premier mentioned that there are future plans to construct a new abattoir, but the government is focused on resolving the current issues promptly.
"We also have the abattoir, which is going to be redone. Of course, I hear the cries of the people that the abattoir hasn't been opened for a little while because of a lack of water, so I've been speaking to the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries and rectifying that speedily, so that we can have an abattoir available to us,’’ he exclaimed.
Abattoir without water for 3 weeks
The abattoir in Paraquita Bay has been without water for three weeks, leading many residents in the area to voice their complaints about the situation.
On March 17, 2026, the Premier's Office issued a bulletin stating that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has informed the public that the abattoir remains without water.
Ministry working to resolve water issues
The bulletin further explained that while the Department of Water and Sewerage is still working to resolve the water issues affecting the Paraquita Bay area, the abattoir is facing separate internal challenges that are also impacting its water supply.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, it continued, is actively addressing these challenges and prioritising the restoration of services.
Farmers who rely on abattoir services were asked to be patient.
Premier Wheatley added during the Virgin Islands Voice programme, "Very soon, we're gonna start construction on a new, a whole new abattoir."
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14 Responses to “UPDATE: Gov't restores cistern @ abattoir in Paraquita Bay”
I can remember the first abattoir that was constructed at Paraquita Bay in the early 1980's. Unfortunately, it couldn't function due to the door being too small to admit a cow.
Get water every day...Once election done we back in water prison..begging for water again..
When you say that it is always certain it will take longer than ever. Priority schools, priority roads, priority Admin building etc.
Priority has a different meaning in the VI.