Vanterpool Calls For Decentralised Water Network
People’s Leadership Movement leader Mark Vanterpool has called for a return to a decentralised water production system to resolve chronic shortages across Tortola. The former Communications and Works Minister argued that heavy reliance on the centralised Paraquita Bay facility makes the entire island vulnerable to widespread disruptions.
People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool has weighed in on the British Virgin Islands' ongoing utility challenges, stating that resolving the chronic water distribution crisis across Tortola is not rocket science and requires courageous, visionary leadership. Speaking during an interview on Street Talks with Dakarai Wheatley-Adams, Vanterpool pointed to the territory's heavy dependence on a single primary production facility at Paraquita Bay as the fundamental flaw in the existing network.
The setup stems from the BiWater agreement executed in February 2010 under the Virgin Islands Party administration led by the late former Premier Ralph T. O’Neal, with Julian Fraser serving as Minister for Communications and Works. The contract established a facility designed to deliver 2.3 million imperial gallons of water daily along with related sewerage infrastructure.
Vanterpool, who subsequently held the Communications and Works portfolio under the National Democratic Party administration from 2011 to 2019, described the agreement as an albatross around the Government’s neck. He noted that past administrations struggled to find viable pathways out of the arrangement while attempting to manage its operational constraints.
According to the PLM leader, pumping water from the eastern end of Tortola to western communities such as Sea Cows Bay creates severe logistical bottlenecks. When mechanical or distribution problems occur at the main plant, entire communities are left vulnerable to immediate shutoffs.
To restore stability to the network, Vanterpool advocated for returning to a decentralised model where localized plants supply specific districts. He noted that communities including Capoons Bay, Baughers Bay, Sea Cows Bay, and East End previously maintained their own production plants.
Ensuring each area has a functioning, dedicated plant would provide resilience against widespread service failures. Vanterpool concluded that fixing the territory's utility infrastructure requires leaders who are prepared to make difficult decisions to carry out long-term solutions.
His remarks come as residents across several Tortola neighbourhoods continue to voice frustration over persistent service disruptions and days-long water outages.
Primary source: BVI Platinum