Burt Point sewage plant promised by May

The wastewater treatment plant at Burt Point, which went offline after sustaining damage during Hurricane Irma, is awaiting materials and equipment for a $2.5 million repair project that is scheduled to be completed by May 2023, Deputy Premier Kye Rymer said during a House of Assembly meeting last week.

“It is anticipated that all the long lead material and equipment will be shipped by January for the commencement of physical works onsite,” Mr. Rymer said on Oct. 25. “It is further expected that the wastewater treatment plant will be fully repaired and commissioned by May 2023.”

In August, government awarded Biwater International Limited a $2,594,317 contract to repair the plant, and a mobilisation payment was handed over in September, according to the minister.

Cabinet decision

The contract stems from Cabinet’s August 2020 decision that Biwater, which built the plant and a similar one in Paraquita Bay, should be hired to recommission the Burt Point facility, Mr. Rymer said in May.

The same month, he said that government had drafted a contract worth about $1.4 million for Biwater to carry out the first phase of repairs and bring the plant back online.

At the time, Mr. Rymer also said that once the initial paperwork was finished he expected the plant to be recommissioned in six months.

Last week, he did not explain the $1 million-plus cost increase.

Operations contract

“My ministry is also working diligently on developing a tender document to coincide with the repair and commissioning of the plant for an experienced company to manage, operate and maintain the wastewater treatment plant for a period of seven years,” he added last week.

Apprenticeship

The chosen company will be responsible for undertaking an apprenticeship programme for young people interested in the field, according to Mr. Rymer, who is also the minister of communications and works.

Scholarships

Government, he said, will award scholarships through the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to encourage students to become qualified plant operators and technicians.