Repair Work Begins on Hannah Hill Reservoir
Repair and resealing work has begun at the Hannah Hill reservoir after Florida Aquastore — the contractor awarded a consolidated $1,972,222 contract in January 2026 — mobilised its technical team to the site. Officials, including Minister Kye M. Rymer and Deputy Premier Julian S. Fraser, say the immediate works will replace the leaking floor, reseal panels and are expected to take roughly four weeks, with some temporary reductions in supply for higher-elevation customers. The works form the first major phase of the Government's multi-year Water Infrastructure Action Plan and follow earlier preparatory activity in early August 2026, including fencing and road improvements to allow heavy equipment access.
Contracted repair work on the Hannah Hill reservoir has begun, the Government has confirmed, as Florida Aquastore's technical team commenced on-site rehabilitation of the tank. The contract to rehabilitate five critical reservoirs across the Territory was awarded to Florida Aquastore (also referred to in some earlier reports as Florida Aqua Store) in January 2026 at a total value of $1,972,222, according to the Government.
The consolidated contract covers Hannah Hill and four other reservoirs: Fort Hill, Sabbath Hill, Minton Hill on Virgin Gorda, and Balsam's Ghut. Officials say the programme represents the first major phase of the Government's multi-year Water Infrastructure Action Plan aimed at strengthening the Territory's water storage and distribution network (Government of the Virgin Islands release).
The project experienced earlier delays because specialised materials and equipment had to be shipped in, the Government said. Preparatory and remedial activity began in early August 2026. In a ministry video posted on the official Facebook page on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M.
Rymer outlined the immediate scope of work at Hannah Hill and said the site had been prioritised. Site security measures and access improvements have been implemented, including a perimeter fence and paving of the access road to allow cranes and heavy equipment to reach the reservoir, the minister added (Ministry of Communications and Works video; VINO report).
The contractor has advised that Hannah Hill requires removal and cleaning of the internal panels, installation of a new floor to replace the leaking floor, and a full reseal of the tank. 'Those are the works that will be happening in this reservoir. We’ll have to take out the panel and make sure that it is cleaned, prepared, and ready for them to install the new floor, and they’ll do some resealing of the entire reservoir as well,' Minister Rymer said in the ministry's video (VINO).
The Government release adds that the technical team has begun the repair works and that Honourable Rymer and Deputy Premier and Third District Representative Honourable Julian S. Fraser recently visited the site as preparations were underway. The Government expects the Hannah Hill works to take approximately four weeks to complete; earlier ministry communications indicated a timeline of four to five weeks for the immediate phase (Government of the Virgin Islands; VINO).
Residents at higher elevations around Hannah Hill — who rely most on stored water pressure — are being warned they may experience reduced water availability while the reservoir is temporarily taken offline for rehabilitation. Minister Rymer encouraged affected customers to store an adequate supply of water in advance and to monitor ministry updates closely; he also said the ministry and contractor will work to maintain continuous flow through the distribution network during initial repair phases (Government release).
Florida Aquastore, established in 1983, is described by the Government as a specialist in design, construction and rehabilitation of water storage tanks and wastewater facilities, employing its proprietary Aquastore glass-fused-to-steel system and with more than 2,000 installations worldwide.
The ministry has not yet provided a detailed timetable for the remaining four reservoir rehabilitations, but the awarding and mobilisation under this consolidated contract signal a broader push to restore and strengthen water infrastructure across the Virgin Islands.
Primary source: VINO