Carvin Malone of CBE, speaking during last evening's meeting, January 12, 2012

Photo Credit: Clifton Skelton/BVI Platinum News

Carvin Malone of CBE, speaking during last evening's meeting, January 12, 2012

Photo Credit: Clifton Skelton/BVI Platinum News

Within the next two weeks, short-term works to remedy the sewerage woes in Road Town will commence with the hope of completing it within a three-month period. This was disclosed to residents during a public meeting held last evening at Maria's By The Sea by Government and representatives from CBE Engineering Associates Limited.

Communications and Works Minister, Hon. Mark Vanterpool said he has already given the directive for the new pumps to be ordered to allow for the replacing and refurbishing of the present pumps. These works will be done while works are being carried out on the damaged pipes.

Minister Vanterpool said the works on the project will be done in tandem.

"...So the funding and all the proposals that we have received, we have already authorized the go ahead to order the pumps...The new pumps along the route opposite the Cultural Centre station and one in Purcell, along with the main pump stations are to be fixed. So authorization has been given to order pumps to complete and refurbish them, so that should happen. Of course these pumps are not things we can order off the shelves."

The Minister said Government is working towards reducing or eliminating the flow of sewerage in the streets in certain areas of Road Town within 120 days.

"But we expect in the next ninety days that this part of it would be solved. I am understanding from the Water and Sewerage Department that the overflows coming on that route should be dramatically reduced or hopefully eliminated; 90 to 120 days that part should be solved...I believe a contract is about to be signed in relation to the replacement of the pumps on that route including the main pumping station within the next couple of days."

When questioned by a reporter on whether residents can hold Government to the 120 days deadline, the Minister said, "...That's the Government's intention...but I am unable to say that sewerage will end flowing in the streets by May, but it is the Government's intention to work very hard to making that deadline possible."

Meanwhile, Samuel McIntosh, Project Manager of CBE Engineering Associates Limited said they will be staggering the works which will begin in the area of First Bank.

"In the area of First Bank, pipe-laying will start first...We are going to be ordering some pipes and the lead time on those days are three to four weeks, and immediately after that you will start seeing physical work in terms of installing the pipes. We are estimating a maximum of three months...We are trying not to do too much things at once, so we are trying to stagger it," he said.

McIntosh said that they are engaging the business community as it relates to disruptions. He said they have also had discussions with LIME and the Water Sewerage Department so they can offer quick response in the event of any disruptions.

McIntosh said they are also in talks with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in relation to controlling traffic and noted that they will also have traffic control maps developed.

Works Minister, Hon. Vanterpool said that they must do what is necessary to stop the embarrassment and the upcoming works are part of the short term mitigation as they await the long term plan.

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

"We are going to immediately begin the process of replacing the broken areas of the pipelines that go to the present pump station with a view to preventing any more leakages that are in the system at this time in this area, and at the same time we will be making major repairs or replacement to pumps at that pump station...We are certainly going to be doing something about the odor in the area...There are further relatively major works to be done in the not too distant future with the pipes and so on, particularly coming cross from the roundabout area," the Minister said.

Government and CBE officials have repeatedly stated that the long term includes replacing the Road Town Sewerage Pump Station located in the area of the roundabout by building a new station, and moving towards full treatment of the sewerage.

Over $400K In Petty Contracts

At the meeting, Minister Vanterpool disclosed that Government will be signing 7-8 contracts in the coming weeks in relation to the sewerage works. He said the total cost for all the contracts is estimated to be in the range of $450,000.

The Minister also stated that Government will be evaluating each contract as they are issued, "looking for value."

Vanterpool assured residents that though they are working steadfast to address the problem, they are not rushing the project or looking for shortcuts.

"All we are saying is that we are getting on with it; no more talking about it...We are not rushing the project."

In August 2010, the then Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government inked a contract with CBE Engineering Associates Limited for the management, engineering and construction supervision services for the National Sewerage Project that will take place in East End/Long Look and parts of Road Town.