Government Plans To Increase Reservoir Capacity
There are plans to increase the territory's water capacity by building a twin reservoir at Fort Hill, the Minister of Communications and Works has announced. The Honourable J. Alvin Christopher unveiled the plans during the October 17th sitting of the Legislative Council.
Responding to a question posed by Member for the Eighth District Hon. Lloyd Black, the Minister of Communications and Works indicated that the government's storage capacity for potable water in the territory stands at 2, 525, 113 imperial gallons. He said this represents two and a half days of water supply, which is not really acceptable. "Two and a half days is not what we would prefer to have. Our recommendation now, Mr. Speaker, would be to increase to five days," he admitted. Hon. Christopher said the Ministry intends to demolish the existing Fort Hill reservoir, which now can hold 260,000 imperial gallons, is now 20 years old and at the end of its useful life. He said the plan is to construct a twin reservoir, which will be installed at the same location, with a total capacity of over 600, 000 imperial gallons. "Mr. Speaker, I propose a 300,000 imperial gallon reservoir at Windy Hill. Funding is being requested in the 2001 budget estimates. I'm also proposing to install a 1 million imperial gallon reservoir in Road Town and a 500, 000 imperial gallon reservoir at East End. Funding is also requested in the 2001 budget estimates," the Minister reported. "In addition, better utilization of the BVI Electricity Corporation's storage reservoir at Pockwood Pond, which has a capacity of 700,000 imperial gallons, is planned."