Press Release

Ministry of Communications and Works
Release Date:
Wednesday, 24 June 2015 - 3:15pm

The Ministry of Communications and Works, in collaboration with the Water and Sewerage Department, is working to ensure that the public water supply on Virgin Gorda is restored by the end of this week.

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool expressed apologies to the people of Virgin Gorda for the inconvenience caused by the disruption to the public water supply.

Honourable Vanterpool said, "I assure you that we have been working diligently to rectify the problem at the plant and we are very close to the point of resolution."

The Ministry of Communications and Works is making arrangements to have water barged from Tortola to Virgin Gorda today, Wednesday June 24, to tap up the reservoirs and provide some relief for residents on the sister island.

Acting Assistant Secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mrs. Margaret Jones-Greene, stated "We are reviewing the best options to get water to Virgin Gorda immediately, prior to resolving the issue with the Aqua Design Water Company."

Residents on the sister island have been experiencing interruptions since April this year, as a result of low levels being produced by the Aqua Design Water Company.

 Director of the Water and Sewerage Department, Mrs. Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, said residents of North Sound were severely affected, while residents in The Valley were able to get water at certain times during the day.

Mrs. Scatliffe-Leonard said once water is trucked to Virgin Gorda and the reservoirs are filled to a certain capacity, residents across the entire island will have access to a more regular supply of public water.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is committed to ensuring that at least 98% of residents throughout the Territory have access to the public water system.

Author

Nekita Turnbull

Ag. Deputy Chief Information Officer
Department of Information & Public Relations 
Telephone: 468-2730
Email:  Neturnbull@gov.vg