The Ministry of Communication & Works (MCW) has announced the start of civil works for the Cane Garden Bay Sewerage Network. 

The project will deliver a modern gravity sewer collection and conveyance system, new pump/lift stations and supporting infrastructure to replace the existing ageing forced-main lift station network.

Project Summary

Sewerage works will commence on the Cane Garden Bay Road corridor in the vicinity of Hodge’s Gas Station, culminating in the vicinity of De Wedding. The project scope consists of approximately 4,800 feet of gravity sewer mains and submains, 2200 feet of force mains, 7 new pump/lift stations, 42 precast manholes, 2 utility kiosk buildings, air-relief valves, and associated road reinstatement and environmental protection works. The contract includes removal and safe disposal of the 35 existing fibre glass lift stations. The goal is to replace the deteriorated decentralised network (35 lift stations) with a resilient, centrally managed gravity sewer system tied into the wastewater treatment works.

The Importance of the Project

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer stated that he is happy with the commencement of these vital civil works in one of the potentially busiest corridors on Tortola. He said, “The upgrades to the Sewerage Networks that are slated to begin in Cane Garden Bay shortly represents another step in the right direction as the ministry continues to execute it mandate.”

Honourable Rymer added, “We do not take this mandate lightly, and we are cognisant of the importance of this project being executed as smoothly as possible. There are safeguards in place to ensure that residents and businesses will be informed from the ministry and contractor in advance of saw-cutting, excavation and road-occupation activities at their locations. A programme of regular updates, contact details for queries and emergency reporting, and notices of planned interruptions will be published and distributed to properties within the works corridor.”

Construction Timing and Sequencing

Works will commence on Monday 19th October, and will be executed in a segment-by-segment sequence, working firstly along the main Cane Garden Bay thoroughfare, followed by secondary/community roads. Pump stations and sections of pipeline will be commissioned progressively so that service continuity is maintained while existing lift stations are decommissioned and tied into the new network.

What Residents, Businesses and Visitors should Expect

• Roadway occupation: Trenching and reinstatement will occur within the road corridor. A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) will be in place to manage temporary diversions, pedestrian routing and access to businesses. The TMP will be approved before major road works commence.
• Temporary access impacts: Temporary reinstatement of trenches will be provided immediately after backfill to restore safe access pending permanent surfacing. Property access will be maintained wherever practicable; the contractor will coordinate timing with property owners and businesses in advance.
• Noise and equipment: Construction will use standard civil works plant (saws, excavators, dewatering pumps, trench boxes). Measures such as sound-attenuated pumps and restricted working hours near sensitive locations will reduce disturbances.
• Utility works: Known utility crossings (electric, fibre, water, gas) were identified during survey walkthroughs. Where excavation approaches a flagged crossing, hand- or vacuum-excavation will be used to protect existing services. Any unforeseen utility strikes will be managed per emergency procedures and reported immediately.
• Coastal protection: Special measures (silt fencing, settlement/filtration for any dewatering, containment for spoil/removed tanks) will be used near the shoreline to prevent sediment or pollutant discharges to the bay. No direct discharge of silt-laden water to the bay will be permitted.
• Health & safety: All excavation, confined-space and electrical works will follow strict safety protocols, including shoring, confined-space permits, continuous atmospheric monitoring and PPE. First-aid, spill kits and emergency procedures will be maintained on site.

Service continuity and decommissioning

• Existing lift stations will be taken out of service in a controlled, staged sequence. Each station will be temporarily served by vacuum-tanker trucking during the transition, and each existing service will be tied into a pre-installed capped stub on the new gravity main only after the new reach has been tested and commissioned.
• Sewage-spill contingency measures and odour/spill response protocols are in place to protect the beachfront and nearby properties during decommissioning.

Environmental safeguards and testing

• Erosion/sediment controls, settlement and filtration for dewatering discharge, and work-window timing for coastal foundation activities will protect the marine environment.

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The Ministry of Communications and Works continues to ensure the continued development and maintenance of public infrastructure in keeping with international standards so that public utilities are reliable and affordable in support of an enhanced community life for every resident and visitor in the Virgin Islands.