As Virgin Gorda struggled with water shortages in recent days, about 272,000 gallons were barged from Tortola to provide relief, officials said.
The shipments started with 30,000 gallons on June 24 and continued on June 26 and 27 with the remainder, the government announced Thursday in a press release.
Margaret Jones-Greene, assistant secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Works, described the measure as a temporary solution.
“The water plant on Virgin Gorda is approximately 20 years old and is now being refurbished,” she said. “As a result of the plant not functioning well, sufficient water isn’t being produced. Once final decisions have been made to address this issue in the most cost-effective way, residents of Virgin Gorda will receive regular water service.”
Ms. Jones-Greene added that the demand for water on VG has increased “significantly” over the past 20 years, and the ministry is “finalising its options to meet the demand,” according to Government Information Services.
Meanwhile, a schedule is in place to help the island conserve water in the reservoirs. Residents in The Valley will receive service from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., while in North Sound water will be turned on from 5-10 a.m. and again from 2-8 p.m.
Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, the director of the Water and Sewerage Department, urged residents to conserve.
“For example, if you have to wash the car, instead of using the hose, take a bucket and wash the car,” she said. “Instead of washing down the driveway, sweep it.”
She added that the territory is now in the dry season.
“The summer season is upon us and we need to be mindful that more water would be required, especially when visitors and belongers abroad come in,” she said, adding, “We are going to do the best that we can to have as much water available to you, and this may mean putting additional water schedules in place to help build up the water levels in our reservoirs, so that we could all have access to this critical resource, especially in peak hour periods.”
On Tortola, residents from Slaney Hill to West End are experiencing water interruptions, as are some East End residents. The department is working on upgrading pipes in affected areas, according to government.
Meanwhile, leakage that was causing water issues in Jost Van Dyke has been resolved, government announced.
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