Diamond Estate Pump Station Upgraded
Minister Kye M. Rymer and Acting Director Alphonso inspected recent upgrades at the Diamond Estate Pump Station on January 5, 2026, which include new low-pressure switches, a control panel and an additional power pump to enable automatic operation. The work is part of a government-led, 12-month plan to modernise the territory's water system and improve service reliability.
On Monday, January 5, 2026, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works, accompanied by Acting Director Alphonso, visited the Diamond Estate Pump Station to review recently completed upgrades aimed at improving water-supply reliability. Acting Director Alphonso said the works include installation of lower-pressure switches at key booster pumps that activate the pumps and protect them from pressure-related damage. "The booster pump up the hill, up there, we had to install a low-pressure switch that activates the pump, and it also protects the pump from water.
So, we install a low-pressure switch at that pump station, at the higher one, and down at the platforms, they reinstall a new control panel," he explained. Additional equipment installed at the site includes a new 10-hour power pump, a new pump unit, a modern control panel and extra pressure switches to protect the pumps.
These measures were paired with reprogramming and adjustments to the control systems so the station can operate automatically. "So that the station can operate independently and automatically, so the operator doesn't have to be present as much. So, with this being able to run automatically, the tank will be able to fill a lot quicker and more efficiently," Alphonso said.
Previously, staff had to respond manually when water levels dropped, often rushing to shut down the system to avoid damage. The new control panel and programming now trigger automatic shutdowns when pressure falls below safe levels. "Now there’s a control switch; the panel wasn’t working as it should.
Once the water pressure drops, it shuts down automatically. We did some reprogramming at the station, and we settled some adjustments to get this one here, going as well," the Acting Director added. The upgrades form part of a territory-wide, 12-month action plan that the Government has launched to modernise the water system.
Water has been designated a "national critical priority," a classification intended to speed procurement and repair processes as the authorities tackle ageing and deteriorating water infrastructure. The strategy also emphasises system management, reservoir security and public engagement.
For residents of the BVI, the work at Diamond Estate should translate into quicker tank refills, fewer emergency call-outs and improved resilience in the water-supply network. According to Virgin Islands News Online, similar upgrades are expected as the government continues its programme to stabilise and modernise water services across the territory.
Primary source: VINO