To address the widespread water shortages that have infuriated residents in recent months, the government has allocated $8 million and made an official declaration that will allow it to bypass tender requirements and award infrastructure contracts more quickly, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer.
“With Cabinet approval, our government has made water a national critical priority, emphasising our commitment to ensuring every Virgin Islander can rely on consistent access to this vital resource,” Mr. Rymer said during a press conference last Thursday. “Declaring water a national critical priority underscores its essential role in the health and prosperity of every community member and business.”
The $8 million — which will come from the $100 million loan the government secured last year from CIBC Caribbean bank — will help ensure that “immediate repairs, upgrades and expansions” are executed promptly, according to the minister.
Because of the government’s national-priority declaration, the funds can be used to hire contractors without using the full tender process that would otherwise be required to help ensure value for money.
“We will be able to use single-source procurement and restricted tender in terms of anything that we are trying to procure,” Mr. Rymer explained, adding, “Single source means if we know of a contractor who would be able to provide services, we can engage them without going through an open tender. So we will be able to engage and, based on experience, make sure that they can provide a service immediately.”
Moving forward, the minister said, priorities include addressing the numerous leaks in the water system, upgrading reservoirs and pumps, facilitating closer inter-agency collaboration, and training personnel such as engineers and technicians.
80 percent loss
Mr. Rymer also announced the arrival of three volunteer engineers from the Canada-based non-profit Operators Without Borders, who estimated that the territory has been losing as much as 80 percent of its water to leaks.
The OWB volunteers, who had been assessing the territory’s water system since they arrived three days before the press conference, estimated the total repair bill for needed water infrastructure to far exceed $8 million, according to engineer Rhonda Harris.
However, she added that the allocation is “a start.”
Ms. Harris explained that the territory’s water problems are related to the age of its infrastructure, as well as the complex logistics needed to synchronise various government agencies to complete each project.
“It takes a commitment to funding and it takes the time to be able to do [repairs], because you have to keep your system operating while you make the repairs,” Ms. Harris explained. “So it’s a slower process because you have to keep water going through the pipes to get to your customers while you’re making some major repairs.”
New ‘tools’
Ms. Harris added that the VI government already knows how to repair water infrastructure.
“Have they looked at it? Yes. Are they aware of the issues? Absolutely,” she said. “The ministry and the water department are both very familiar with what the issues are and how to go about fixing it. What [the OWB is] trying to give them is some tools to make it more efficient for them to do.”
Despite the magnitude of the problems, Ms. Harris said they are not unique to the VI.
“It’s the same issues on all the islands. It is a critical issue for everybody,” she said. “So what we’re seeing is something we are all familiar with seeing. And [we are] also familiar with how to find solutions for those issues that you all have.”
Asked how much water the territory is losing to leaks, Ms. Harris said it could be as much as 80 percent.
“[It means] you’re having to produce almost twice as much water as you need so that people can receive it,” she said.
After OWB completes its assessment, it will submit a report that Mr. Rymer said will help the government decide how to spend the $8 million.
“That will guide us in terms of making sure that we put the proper mechanisms in place based on what they have found,” he said. “Based on their assessment, we’ll work to integrate those [lessons] into repairing our water system.”
Volunteers
OWB started in 2017 as a response to hurricanes Irma and Maria.
According to its website, the organisation assists “water and wastewater utilities in developing countries recover from disaster situations and build capacity through training and mentoring water and wastewater operators.”
Mr. Rymer connected with the organisation at a recent conference of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, he said.
OWB has also consulted in Dominica, Haiti, Kenya and Belize, according to its website.
Ms. Harris is the chief technical officer of the Texas-based company Operational Technical Services.
The other two visiting engineers are Marcel Misuraca, a former operations manager for the Ontario Clean Water Agency in Canada, and Mike Hewitt, the owner of the Canada-based water management company Almaquin Enterprises.
Local assistance
While government has the freedom to spend with less restraint than usual, VI firms are encouraged to apply for contracts to help repair the territory’s water infrastructure, according to Mr. Rymer.
“We will engage local engineers and experienced professionals from the Water and Sewerage Department to draw on their invaluable knowledge of our water networks,” he added.
“To expedite repairs, we will divide our operations into specific zones, allowing for simultaneous leak detection and repairs. I invite local contractors with the necessary skills to participate in this national project.”
To contact with the ministry, Mr. Rymer said to call 468-2183 or email mcw@gov.vg.
Helping residents
A separate programme is also in the works to assist residents who have been negatively affected by water outages, according to the minister.
“We are working on a temporary water incentive plan to help ease the burdens faced by households during this challenging time,” he said. “This plan will provide essential resources and support to residents affected by the water supply issues. I will return to you to communicate the details of this incentive plan aimed at providing temporary ease and assistance in getting access to water.”
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