Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

UPDATE: Water restored to Josiah’s Bay area

Potable water has now been restored to several residents of Josiah's Bay after an absence of some two weeks following a publication of the resident's plight by Virgin Islands News Online. Photo: VINO/File
Calls to Director (ag) of the Water and Sewerage Department Ms Perline Scatliffe-Leonard to obtain a comment on the issue were unsuccessful up to post time. Photo: VINO
Calls to Director (ag) of the Water and Sewerage Department Ms Perline Scatliffe-Leonard to obtain a comment on the issue were unsuccessful up to post time. Photo: VINO
JOSIAH'S BAY, Tortola, VI – Potable water has now been restored to several residents of Josiah's Bay after an absence of some two weeks following a publication of the resident's plight by Virgin Islands News Online.

Residents reported that the water was restored some time yesterday, December 27, 2013 after they were forced to endure the Christmas holidays with no running water. No contact was reportedly made by officials from the Water and Sewerage Department (WSD) after the water was returned.

The residents further reported that they remained unable to confirm the reason for the absence of water for such an extended period as no explanations were allegedly forthcoming from WSD personnel despite several attempts made by residents. This news site was also unsuccessful in contacting officials of WSD for comments on the issue.

See previous story posted December 24, 2013:

Josiah’s Bay residents facing water-deprived Christmas

JOSIAH'S BAY, Tortola, VI – Several residents of Josiah’s Bay are facing the frustrating prospect of a water-deprived Christmas after being without running water in their homes allegedly for the past two weeks. This is despite repeated promises by authorities to remedy the situation.

Ms Marie Blyden told Virgin Islands News Online that she has made several calls to the Water and Sewerage Department with little effect and has been given repeated promises by a senior official that work would be done in the area to fix the problem.

This news site was informed that some four houses occupied by over ten persons continue to be affected in the absence of potable water in their houses.

The problem previously affected other residents in the area briefly but other households have since reportedly had their water restored.

Ms Blyden further told this news site that the complex which contains the five houses is the only one which has apparently been affected by the problem and it has been increasingly frustrating that no possible solutions for the issue have been explained to the affected residents.

“I know my bill is paid,” Ms Blyden stated, “they won’t even tell us if it’s something wrong with the meter so we could get one. They won’t call us back or anything.”

“I called them two weeks ago and they said they would send someone out and they did not,” Ms Joseph related, “and then I kept calling and calling [name given] who is a Supervisor and he said he will make some calls.”

Different explanations were subsequently provided but still no solutions remained forthcoming according to the affected resident.

Ms Blyden further alleged that several calls to the Water and Sewerage Department yesterday, December 23, 2013 went unanswered.

Another resident, Ms Carol Patterson, told this news site that her catering services have been severely affected in the absence of running water and her temporary supplies have had to hold her since. With a household of five persons depending on the primary source, Ms Patterson has stated that the water shortage is an inconvenience.

When this news site contacted the official mentioned he declined to comment but suggested we speak with Director (ag) of the Water and Sewerage Department, Ms Perline Scatliffe-Leonard.

However, calls to Ms Scatliffe-Leonard to obtain a comment on the issue were unsuccessful up to post time. Efforts were also made to contact Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool on the issue were futile.

32 Responses to “UPDATE: Water restored to Josiah’s Bay area”

  • ting to talk (24/12/2013, 10:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well saw
    • Marie Blyden (27/12/2013, 14:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU VINO. Since you aired our plight in Josiah's Bay, The water miraculously came on. We didn't get any calls to even tell us they found the problem and fixed it so we still don't know what the problem was, but thank goodness it is on again. My husband as well as myself are retired need young enterprising younger ones to be our voice and carry us through. You folks working there really do a great service to the B.V.I. and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. VINO VINO VINO THAT'S THE WAY TO GO! Have a safe a prosperous New Year.
      From Josiah's Bay Residents.
    • Marie Blyden (31/12/2013, 09:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      SPOKE TOO SOON. They put the water on for one day last week and now it is off again, stated to my neighbor that they will be back Thursday after New Years to try to fix the problem. Mind you, I made the complaint and they still haven't spoken to me yet. This is so insulting and if there was another water supply I would switch ASAP.
  • ccc (24/12/2013, 10:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What else is new?
  • dog (24/12/2013, 11:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    and they want to put a botanical garden down there... watered with what?
  • all ah we (24/12/2013, 11:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We bush cutters were deprived too!
  • l (24/12/2013, 11:45) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I thought all homes were supposed to be built with cisterns. You can't get a plan passed unless the cistern is included. With all this rain falling, cisterns should be full. Mine is full and I don't depent on Water & Sewerage.
    • rattie (24/12/2013, 20:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      the water and swerage dept is a constant mess...
    • kelly (25/12/2013, 00:25) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      cisterns should be a must. a no brainer. why are people so dependent on city water?
      • Steve (25/12/2013, 12:27) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        Because people pay for it that's why. It should be available when things go wrong like a pump breaking or cistern go dry during our dry season. Either way, they should have potable water. Cistern is not potable, just for bathing and laundry. Water company is very lax in so many ways and are responsible for this. They should tell the people what is wrong so they can fix it, but to ignore them is unacceptable, outrageous, disrespectful and unprofessional.
        • Buggy (28/12/2013, 13:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          You are so wrong. My cistern is full of clean rain sent by God. I have it tested and always send in a sample of bottle water or town water as a check on the lab, labeled cistern 3, and guess what? My cistern water is always cleaner! Town water comes from the sea where you have all those white folk on boats pumping their nasty sh*t straight into the water. Add to that the nice sh*t from locals in Town which also goes straight into the sea. Me, I like my cistern water much better than all this sh*t filled town water. And I not burning expensive diesel to make it.
          • Windy (28/12/2013, 16:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            You refer to persons pumping untreated sewerage into the sea. All of the waste collected by sewerage is pumped into the sea UNTREATED. There are no treatment plants in the BVI only pump stations.
          • Buggy's an Idiot (29/12/2013, 05:41) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
            'Town water comes from the sea where you have all those white folk on boats pumping their nasty sh*t straight into the water. Add to that the nice sh*t from locals in Town which also goes straight into the sea.'

            Buggy, you're pathetic, you are so racist (like the rest of the people in your little country) that you discriminate against people's s**t. You are a prime example of why the culture of the BVI is doomed to failure.
          • Wrong (29/12/2013, 07:02) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
            @ Buggy, What is wrong with you? These people are entitled to the water service they pay for, what is the problem with understanding that? You may LOVE using your cistern for drinking and cooking, but not everyone does. I have my cistern checked yearly but still don't drink it. Plus using your cistern everyday makes your electric bill skyrocket by using the pump daily, so I don't need that extra expense every month. Say what you will, people are entitled to what they pay for, this is a no-brainer.
  • Water Tip (24/12/2013, 13:32) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    In this day and age one would think that by now ALL BVIsalanders that are soley dependant on Public Water would have an alternate source of water in the event water goes off in your area. Why blame the WSD? Blame the Land Lords of these place which you continue to rent without alternate water source.
    • george (25/12/2013, 02:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Water Tip Who said she doesn't have a cistern? You have missed the point of the story. The complaint was water have ignored all calls and the Supervisor will not do his job he is getting paid for. As far as I am concerned he is getting paid for nothing. This place allow their workers to get away with bloody murder and his boss should hold him accountable. An entire yard with different home owners are suffering not just one person.
  • Marie Blyden (24/12/2013, 21:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have a cistern for my house, but what has that to do with the water being off and no one answering our calls? I want to know what the problem is so it can be fixed, and still no answers.
    • Blink (25/12/2013, 07:50) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Why you no use your cistern water? Should be full full full. Stop complaining! We have no public water supply and we have not bought water in thirty year. Cistern water is the way to go and no diesel burned making it. Stop your wining!
      • Sarah (25/12/2013, 20:42) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ Blink People like you are the reason this country cannot move forward. These are not days of the donkey pulling the cart. Why should she not complain? Either you work for the water company or you just cheap. thirty years drinking cistern, you lucky to be alive fool.
        • Blink (26/12/2013, 23:41) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          To Sarah. You ignoramus. I have my water tested regularly and I nearly eighty! People like you think wasting the Earth's resources is progress. What you going to do when the earth runs out of oil?
          • Sarah (27/12/2013, 15:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
            @ Blink...THEN ALL OF US WILL DIE! Happy New Year Everyone, you too Blink Blink Blink
  • Renee (24/12/2013, 22:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The water department is responsible to give paying customers water. Having a cistern is for backup for emergencies. Why are you attacking the woman when the fault clearly lies with public works. Being ignored after numerous calls is ridiculous. I bet all of the ones who didn't answer her calls are having a very nice Christmas and will be sitting in church Sunday. People pay their bills and are treated like garbage and this had happened to me too who have a cistern also.
  • Cindy (25/12/2013, 02:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I also live in Josiah's Bay. It is a though they forget about us all the time. They turn off the water to do a job and when the job is done, they go home and forget to turn us back on. I am always calling asking why there is no water when I know my bill is paid. They never apologize, and just say someone will turn it on like I am bothering them. This is not acceptable at all. We should not be attacked because water and sewerage is not doing the right thing.
  • fred (25/12/2013, 12:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    All them sitting in the office when you go there with their sour faces and don't want you to ask any questions. Be 2 days late they want to cut you off. Most sour people I ever met, so I am not surprised with this situation. They treat people like trash.
  • Lets see (25/12/2013, 16:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets see how long from now they take to address the problem. They can't say they don't know now.
  • jeff (25/12/2013, 16:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So because she complained, she is the wrong one? I just don't understand you people. She wrote in that she has a cistern but she is entitled to potable water for cooking and drinking. Cistern is for bathing and laundry and whoever don't know that, they need to look up the word "POTABLE".
  • Ben (26/12/2013, 14:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WHO SAY THIS WOMAN IS WRONG ARE FOOLS! You are the same ones when your electricity, cell phone service, cable t.v. go out who go to the mountain tops and yell your heads off. And now because of her water being out you think she must be quiet? YOU ARE IDIOTS! I don't get why the supervisor she has been calling for 2 weeks now have not responded. This is out and out disrespectful and I for one know exactly how she feels and so should a lot of you. When is this island going to learn how to treat the residents here here with R E S P E C T?
  • Sufferer (27/12/2013, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    In Huntums Ghut we only get water fron 5 am to 9am daily. We were told weeks ago that they only have 3 feet of water. Still only 3 feet because the situation still exists.
    • Rasta Mouse (28/12/2013, 14:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      We up here on the hill over looking Lower Estate as soon as 8 am we are without water until about 8 pm daily. This has been hapening for the past four months. Utilities Minister we are FED UP and we are counting down the days to ELECTION.
  • Cindy (27/12/2013, 15:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    YAHOOOOOO! WATER BACK ON DOWN HERE. HAPPY NEW YEAR VINOOOOOOOOOO
  • Platinum (28/12/2013, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    GOD BLESS VINO


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.