East End Sewer Line Contract Signed
The Government of the Virgin Islands has signed a $4,152,452.50 contract with Biosafe Treatment and Septic Solutions to install a sewerage gravity main from Parham Town to Long Swamp, with work expected to finish within eight months. The signing took place at Cutlass Tower on December 9; government statements and local media coverage say the line will complete the remaining half of the East End/Long Look sewage network and improve sanitary conditions in eastern Tortola.
The Government of the Virgin Islands has formally signed a contract with Biosafe Treatment and Septic Solutions for the installation of a sewerage gravity main line running from Parham Town to Long Swamp. The agreement, valued at $4,152,452.50 and carrying an eight-month completion timeline, was signed at Cutlass Tower on Tuesday, December 9, according to an official Government press release and reporting from BVI News.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley described the project as a significant step toward resolving long-standing sewerage disposal challenges across the Territory and particularly in his Seventh District. In comments carried in the Government press release and local reports, Premier Wheatley said, "This is a major, major contract.
It's a contract of over four million dollars and these gentlemen at BioSafe have done a good job of being able to manage the contracts that they've had thus far." He added the work would make the community healthier and more sanitary and noted it should stop children walking to Willard Wheatley and Francis Lettsome primary schools from having to avoid puddles of sewage (Government press release; Guavaberry; BVI News).
Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer outlined how the Parham Town to Long Swamp line fits into the wider East End and Long Look Sewage Project. Rymer said the new installation represents the completion of the remaining half of the network, telling media that "we are about one half complete with the East End/Long Look Sewage Project, and this would be the completion of the other half." He confirmed the contract followed an open tender process, with Cabinet approving the Central Tenders Board recommendation to award the work to Biosafe, and said the Ministry will keep the public informed about construction progress and any traffic advisories (Government press release; BVI News).
Patrick Mitchell of Biosafe Treatment and Septic Solutions thanked the Government for awarding the contract and stressed his company's experience and readiness to meet the timeline. Quoted in the Government release and local coverage, Mitchell said, "From listening to what the Premier said, it seems like you fully understand that the solution to pollution is not dilution, but proper wastewater treatment," and referenced his two decades of work with the Water and Sewerage Department while acknowledging there will be hurdles to clear during construction (Government press release; Guavaberry; BVI News).
When completed, the gravity main will finish the remaining half of the East End/Long Look Sewage Project and is expected to reduce raw sewage runoff, improve sanitary conditions in the East End and Long Look areas, and create safer walking routes for schoolchildren and residents. The Ministry of Communications and Works has said it will provide regular updates on construction schedules, traffic management and other advisories and will work to minimise disruption to motorists and residents during the installation (Ministry of Communications and Works; Government press release).
This article incorporates material from the Government of the Virgin Islands press release issued December 9 and reporting from Guavaberry and BVI News; BVI News also published photographs from the signing ceremony. Residents are advised to follow future Ministry updates for details on start dates, traffic plans and expected temporary disruptions.
Primary source: BVI Government