Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool last week asked residents to focus on conserving water while his ministry works to increase the territory’s water supply.
But he also faced several pointed questions from the opposition about the water shortage that has plagued the territory in recent months.
During a House of Assembly meeting last Thursday, Mr. Vanterpool conceded that the current system, which has been supplying water to Road Town only during the day and to the Ridge Road area only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, is “unsatisfactory.”
“We have heard the cries of the territory’s citizens for a more consistent supply of water,” the minister said, adding, “I wish to assure our citizens that this government is urgently working to remedy the situation.”
He listed several measures taken so far in the effort.
First, Mr. Vanterpool said, the ministry is “in the early stages of discussions with all water suppliers in the territory to increase their supply of water to the government over the next 12 months.” He later added, “our expectations are that Biwater would begin to deliver their 2.3 million gallons of water by the end of the next 12 months.”
He also said he expects proposals from Aqua Design for its Sea Cows Bay, Cappoons Bay and Virgin Gorda plants; and from Ocean Conversion-BVI for the Bar Bay water plant. The ministry is also negotiating with the BVI Electricity Corporation to restart the Pockwood Pond desalination plant, he said.
See the April 11, 2013 edition for full coverage.
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