The Ministry of Communications and Works is installing force main pipes from Paraquita Bay to Long Swamp this week as work resumes on the long-delayed East End/Long Look Sewerage Project, according to Government Information Services.

In total, the ministry will install 17,000 feet of ten-, eight-, and six-inch pipes between Brandywine Bay, Paraquita Bay, Long Swamp, Paraham Town and Major Bay, according to CW Minister Mark Vanterpool (R-D4).

“We are now installing the pipes to Long Swamp, so that when we are finished we will be able to take [sewage] from there to be treated at Paraquita Bay at a tertiary level,” he said in a press release.

History

Plans for a major public sewerage system in the territory date back to 1974, when Her Majesty’s Stationer’s Office published a booklet on the government’s agenda for the year that included plans for a national sewage treatment plant.

Since then, delays and other problems have plagued such plans, with goals for a national sewerage programme repeatedly falling short.

In 2002, a master plan was drafted to implement the programme, starting by addressing the sewage woes in Road Town and EE/LL.

Since then, progress has been slow in the midst of funding issues, administration changes and a lack of follow-through.

Nevertheless, progress was made in Road Town, where the Burt Point treatment plant was completed and started processing sewage in October 2015.

The treatment plant in Paraquita Bay is also complete, but it is not expected to come online until pipes are laid to connect it to EE/LL.

Government has diverted funds multiple times from the EE/LL sewerage project to large capital works, including Peebles Hospital and the Tortola Pier Park.

Road works

In his budget address last month, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said he expected the EE/LL portion of the project to be finished by the end of this year.

Throughout that time, the MCW will be completing road works and apologises for any inconvenience they cause, according to the press release.

“Motorists driving to and from East End are being advised to take alternate routes on the Ridge Road to avoid delays and congestion in work areas,” the press release stated. “Persons driving to East End beyond Paraquita Bay should utilise the Ridge Road accessed through Fort Hill road near Qwomar Trading.”

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Additionally, drivers heading to Road Town from East End should take the Ridge Road via the Little Dix Hill road near the EE Police Station, according to the press release.