Operators Without Borders Return to VI
Operators Without Borders (OWB) volunteers have returned to the Virgin Islands to assist the Ministry of Communications and Works with a major pipe replacement project designed to boost water capacity and reduce leaks. The work—carried out with local contractor ABC Plumbing—uses welded 40-foot sections to create larger 12-inch mains with pressure-management features to address back pressure and increase system resilience.
Operators Without Borders (OWB) volunteers are back in the Virgin Islands working alongside the Ministry of Communications and Works and local contractor ABC Plumbing to replace ageing water mains and improve the Territory’s water infrastructure. In a video posted to the ministry’s Facebook page, OWB volunteer Jake Maker described the fusion process used on site: "That’s when we melt the ends of the pipe and then squeeze them together to make that watertight joint and to make it into one big long pipe.
So we have 40-foot sections and we're welding those sections together to create one long pipe." Once fused, the pipe is placed in the ground and connected into the system. The Ministry has contracted ABC Plumbing for the installation. A company representative told ministry officials the new pipes are suited to the Territory’s terrain but noted that controlling back pressure is a key engineering consideration. "That is the mechanical, that's where the engineering comes in, to cut down on the back pressure.
But other than that, the pipe would…[be] stronger than the pipe that is there present and presently, and it should do the job," the representative said. Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said designs prepared by his team include pressure-management measures such as air release valves to reduce back pressure.
He added the upgrade increases pipe diameter from about six inches to 12 inches, expanding capacity and extending the expected service life before the next replacement is needed. OWB first visited the Territory in June 2025 as part of a partnership to assess and strengthen water delivery systems.
During that three-day visit the team surveyed reservoirs and distribution points on Tortola, met with local operators and recommended short-term fixes, including repairs to leaking pipes. The current phase responds directly to those findings. The Ministry and OWB say the work aims to build a more resilient water network so residents can rely on a consistent, secure supply.
For BVI households that regularly experience interruptions, the project promises fewer leaks, increased flow, and longer-lasting mains. Officials say engineering oversight will continue as sections are joined and pressure-management devices are installed. Residents should expect works to progress in stages and be advised of any temporary service disruptions through official ministry channels.
Primary source: VINO