Better management of the Territory’s Water Distribution Network is in the pipeline as a major contract was signed to curtail non-revenue water and create sustainability through the building of local capacity in leak detection.
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, signed a contract with Water Research Centre Limited (WRC) for a consultancy for the provision of Leak Detection Services.
The primary objective of this contract valued at one hundred and four thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars (USD $104,750.00), is to conduct capacity development of local contractors and the Water and Sewage Department, to improve leak detection and to curtail non-revenue water.
The consultant will work with the Water and Sewerage Department and community personnel to identify and locate water leaks within the BVI water distribution system, including both visible and non-visible leaks, to reduce water loss and improve efficiency. The project has a scheduled duration of six weeks and is anticipated to be completed by 15th October, 2024.
At the contract signing ceremony on 11 July, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer said that leak detection is an ongoing challenge, and it is essential to critically understand why some persons are not receiving water.
“We have embarked on this project because we understand that there is quite a lot of theft but there is quite a lot of leaks on the system and it is essential for us to identify those,” he said.
The Works Minister added, “There needs to be a holistic approach in terms of leak detection throughout the Territory, knowing that we have age-old infrastructure”.
Chief Executive Officer of the RDA Mr. Anthony McMaster said, “At the RDA, we are excited of the Ministry’s intention to attack this plaguing situation. This project is designed along the spheres of one of RDA’s three remits. We are linked to capacity building and the Ministry saw an opportunity to utilize this project to build capacity of not only the water and sewerage department but also private personnel.”
The CEO added, “This project will not be a one-time fix but will create new industries in the Territory.”
In support of the project Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mrs. Elvia Smith Maduro said, “The matter of a consistent, reliable source of potable water is very important for us as the Ministry responsible for Infrastructure and in support of the Minister in achieving the legislative agenda for this important and critical component of the infrastructure of the Territory.”
Managing Director of Water Research Centre Limited Andy Blackhall said, “The actions that the Government is taking in initiating this capacity building programme are timely and important. We look forward to working with you to share best practice, to focus on training, building capacity, technologies and materials and all the things that go towards providing safe, clean drinking water to the people that inhabit these islands.”
The ‘Leak Detection Consultancy’ contract represents phase one of a three phase approach to Water Optimisation Programme with the RDA. The other two phases include the ‘Supply and installation of water meters for the reservoirs across the British Virgin Islands’, and the ‘Supply and Installation of Domestic Water Meters across the BVI’.
The 11th July, contract signing was also attended by Acting Director of Water and Sewerage Department Mr. Brian Davis, RDA Project Manager Mrs. Nioka Anderson Murray and RDA Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mrs. Tifanie Robinson.
