Contractors continue work on the sewerage plant in Paraquita Bay yesterday afternoon. Although Biwater has sold the rights to operate the nearby desalination plant, the company will continue to build the two sewage treatment plants that are in progress on Tortola. Photo: Ken Silva

Although Biwater has sold the operating rights to the desalination plant in Paraquita Bay, there won’t be major changes to the Virgin Islands’ water distribution network once the new supplier takes over, according to John Curtis, managing director of Seven Seas Water.

Contractors continue work on the sewerage plant in Paraquita Bay yesterday afternoon. Although Biwater has sold the rights to operate the nearby desalination plant, the company will continue to build the two sewage treatment plants that are in progress on Tortola. Photo: Ken Silva
Seven Seas, a division of AquaVenture based in Florida, stated on its website on Aug. 3 that it will take over the 15-year contract Biwater signed with government in 2010, and Biwater’s corporate communications department confirmed the sale this week.

A Tuesday press release from Biwater explained that while Seven Seas will indeed take over the water supply contract, Biwater will continue to build two wastewater treatment plants, which will be turned over to the government following completion.

For the desalination plant, Seven Seas Water is currently hiring mechanics, technicians and operators. Mr. Curtis said he hopes to have those positions filled by October, and that in the meantime the plant will be run by a combination of Biwater and Seven Seas employees.

He added that none of the terms of the original contract between Biwater and the government will change.

See the Aug. 20, 2015 edition for full coverage.

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