Residents Urged to Connect to Sewage
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley is urging residents in the Seventh and Eighth Districts to connect their homes to the new public sewage system as the Long Swamp pump station is due to be commissioned this week and the Paraquita Bay treatment plant is expected to come online next month. Government officials say household connections are essential to protect roads, public health and to maximise the system's benefits; sign-ups begin through the District 7 and District 8 offices.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has appealed to residents in the Seventh and Eighth Districts to connect their homes to the island's new public sewage system as the territory moves to commission key components of the long-awaited project. Dr Wheatley told a community meeting that the Long Swamp pumping station will be commissioned this week and that the Paraquita Bay treatment plant is expected to come on stream towards the end of next month.
He emphasised that once the infrastructure is operational, household tie-ins are the critical next step if the network is to function as intended. The Premier warned that untreated sewage running onto public roads has contributed to road deterioration and an unsightly environment.
He said the damage often attributed to rainfall is in many instances caused by wastewater escaping from homes, and urged residents to 'hook up' to protect roads and improve the appearance and health of the district. Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer told residents that those not yet connected can apply through the District 7 and District 8 offices.
Assessments will be undertaken to facilitate individual tie-ins to the system. The government also plans to issue small contracts to assist with household connections, creating short-term local employment as the network expands. Chief of Infrastructure Duane Fraites said the Long Swamp pump station will collect sewage from the East End community and convey it to the Paraquita Bay facility, where wastewater will be treated to a tertiary level before safe discharge.
Officials stressed that the treatment plant's advanced process will reduce pollution risks, but its effectiveness depends on a high level of household participation. The sewage project is part of a wider package of infrastructure upgrades in the east, including road rehabilitation works in Hodges Creek and surrounding areas.
Government spokespeople noted significant public investment has already gone into the system and urged residents to take part so the community can fully benefit from the improvements. Residents in the Seventh and Eighth Districts are encouraged to contact their district offices to register for connection assessments and to take advantage of the forthcoming works that promise improved sanitation, road preservation and local employment opportunities.
Primary source: BVI News