‘There is quite a lot of [water] theft but there is quite a lot of leaks’- Hon Rymer (2024)

July 12th, 2024 | Tags: leak detection water theft Kye M. Rymer consultancy contract Water Research Centre Limited RDA

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Better management of the Territory’s Water Distribution Network is in the pipeline as a major contract was signed to curtail non-revenue water and create sustainability through the building of local capacity in leak detection.

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, signed a contract with Water Research Centre Limited (WRC) for a consultancy for the provision of Leak Detection Services.

At the contract signing ceremony on July 11, 2024, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) said that leak detection is an ongoing challenge, and it is essential to critically understand why some persons are not receiving water.

“We have embarked on this project because we understand that there is quite a lot of theft but there is quite a lot of leaks on the system and it is essential for us to identify those,” he said.

The Works Minister added, “There needs to be a holistic approach in terms of leak detection throughout the Territory, knowing that we have age-old infrastructure”.

$104.7K contract signed

The primary objective of this contract valued at one hundred and four thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars (USD $104,750.00), is to conduct capacity development of local contractors and the Water and Sewage Department, to improve leak detection and to curtail non-revenue water.

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS), the consultant will work with the Water and Sewerage Department and community personnel to identify and locate water leaks within the BVI water distribution system, including both visible and non-visible leaks, to reduce water loss and improve efficiency.

The project has a scheduled duration of six weeks and is anticipated to be completed by October 15, 2024.

Not a one-time fix- Anthony S. McMaster

Chief Executive Officer of the RDA Mr Anthony S. McMaster said, “At the RDA, we are excited of the Ministry’s intention to attack this plaguing situation. This project is designed along the spheres of one of RDA’s three remits. We are linked to capacity building and the Ministry saw an opportunity to utilize this project to build capacity of not only the water and sewerage department but also private personnel.”

The CEO added, “This project will not be a one-time fix but will create new industries in the Territory.”

The ‘Leak Detection Consultancy’ contract represents phase one of a three phase approach to Water Optimisation Programme with the RDA. The other two phases include the ‘Supply and installation of water meters for the reservoirs across the British Virgin Islands’, and the ‘Supply and Installation of Domestic Water Meters across the BVI’.

10 Responses to “‘There is quite a lot of [water] theft but there is quite a lot of leaks’- Hon Rymer”

• Water theft? (12/07/2024, 10:11) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply

  Water and sewage the real thieves. Pay for a meter years now still can't get installation. Need make sure I ain't being charged meter rental. Charging poor people for air on other meters

  • lord o. (12/07/2024, 12:28) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply

    Excuses..All what you are saying are true, but its nothing new, these been 10yrs Issues they should have already been resolved. There is a hand held machine thats available that will tell you where ever the leak under the grounds is..As for water theft Get an investigator to go around find offenders and prosecute. Quit the excuses..

• Eh? (12/07/2024, 11:42) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply

  Water theft you say? How about consumers paying for water that they don't get? What do you call that? Ya'll aint day messon

• Deh Watcha (12/07/2024, 12:38) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

  So we have a contract signing and I see the subject minister, and the subject ceo......so where is the actual contractor?

• jack (12/07/2024, 12:48) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply

  I see thieves everyday in government,they walking with there head so high and proud as if everyone else are stupid,

  • Pensive (12/07/2024, 14:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    We're not stupid; we're loyal.

• HMMM (12/07/2024, 14:25) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply

  Water leak (broken connection) in fat hogs bay area call water and sewage they came almost two weeks after to fix it. And it have some places where water are out for weeks and some places water just running wasted.

• Something Wrong (12/07/2024, 15:05) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply

  Why we cant see who is the contractor?

• aiR (12/07/2024, 18:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

  When the com on the air in the line run the metter more than water coming out so most times people getting rub for air

• CHECK OUT THE AREA (13/07/2024, 06:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

  where all them Spaniards live and you be amazed of how brave they are and love to add on extra rooms and rent to other Spaniards , so they cut a water line and put on a tee and free water to the extra rooms that they built on , that will be rented from one legal apartment , when I see what's going on , I does wonder if are blind or a part of the scheme ????