Free water access for all Water & Sewage customers for 30 days
Effective Thursday, March 19, residents in the British Virgin Islands will not be billed for their water consumption from the Water & Sewage Department for 30 days.
Utilities Minister Kye Rymer said the decision was approved by Cabinet in an effort to promote healthy practices in the territory in light of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We are doing this because we understand that the precautionary measures that have been put in place for everyone’s safety will affect the livelihood of persons,” Minister Rymer stated.
He also said his ministry has implemented measures which will benefit residents who currently have no access to running water as well.
“Water delivery will be offered free of charge to existing Water & Sewerage Department customers in areas affected by interruptions in the water distribution network for a period of 30 days, effective Thursday, March 19,” Rymer added.
Limited entry into some departments
The Utilities Minister Rymer also said a number of departments under his portfolio will be enforcing social distancing measures to further protect employees and customers against the virus, which is rapidly spreading in the region.
He said: “No more than three customers are allowed at a time inside of the Water & Sewerage Department offices at Baugher’s Bay.”
Rymer, who is also the Minister responsible for Transportation, said similar measures have been implemented at the Department of Motor Vehicles, with only 10 persons now allowed into the building are at a time.
“We encourage persons to call and make appointments as this will minimise inconvenience and aid in a smooth flow of business. We are also advising persons to have their insurance agent email to the DMV the proof of insurance, if possible. This enables the department to maintain the social distance requirement,” Rymer said.
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Thank you so kindly Kye, we truly appreciate what you have done. I pay my water bill every time it is due, the money that I save will go into groceries due to the fact that the kids are home and they are eating more. Thank you.
Please it is Honourable Kye Rymer. Thank you
@SMH, I know it is Honorable KYE RHYMER. THANK YOU. I have the utmost respect for him and I am quite sure he does not mind me addressing him as KYE. Thank you.
Thank you Kye for always looking out for your people.
Y’all need to make it mandatory that any business found to have laid off workers without a month to two months pay in full tax free should be sued the worker for 3-5 thousand dollars. Or something along that line.
Make it a law y’all too damn nasty minded.
Yes indeed that is good but you have to be get water first. Da 3rd get water maybe once or two time a week
and in the hill maybe 2 hours every two weeks
Sir, please we have to have water in the pipes everyday for more than 90 days, even if the water has to be turned on and off during certain hours of the day it must be available to the people every single day.
With saying more, thank you. God bless you for understanding.
we appreciate the freeness, but it is mandatory that water is available
well done
Would those meters with the department locks be allowed to access water as well?
Go and pay your bill in order to benefit from the 30 days.
We all kno they will find a way to stick those charges in other bills after that
So what about the electricity Bill’s ????????
Turn on the water in the 3rd so we can get some of that free water.
Water supply has been off for about 2 weeks in 3rd district despite the urgent need to prevent spread of pandemic COVID-19 and other contagious water and from borne infectious diseases.
We wish the supplied will be reinstated and maintained. If this is done, the ministers announcement will make meaning
The VIP think them smart because the water is mostly off all day…Them aint losing a thing…Step up to the plate and give us free current instead
Water supply has been off for about 2 weeks in 3rd district despite the urgent need to prevent spread of pandemic COVID-19 and other contagious water and from borne infectious diseases.
We wish the supplied will be reinstated and maintained. If this is done, the ministers announcement will make meaning
But did you think about people who will take advantage? Hoarding the water by filling up their empty cisterns? Just hope there are some measures in place.
Undoubtedly, the Coronavirus pandemic will require higher hygienic practices and increased residential, commercial and industrial water consumption. It is generous and considerate of government to help lower the increased residential, commercial and industrial consumption. However, is it a blanket free cost with no limit on consumption? Will water be free for entities that is selling water? What prevents customers from abusing the generosity by hoarding water, ie, filling cisterns, other containers……..etc?
Perhaps the water generosity should have been by classes of customers, ie, residential, commercial and industrial. For example, residential cost should be reduced by 25% of average monthly usage and reduced by 15% for other customers. Retail customers should only get a discount if the cost to customers is also discounted. Typically, to reduce demand, customers are required to pay at least a nominal cost. Free does not encourage conservation. Is the MCTU considering an electricity consumption discount?
When I see it reflected in my bill only then I believe. As far I am aware Government don’t give nothing for free. Suspended billing for a period I can believe but not free water.
When are we going to get water in Towers?
Come on man. Lets do better than this.
We had a leak going for months and since they come and fix the leak there is no water any more.
Please on the pipe.
We have to get water first. This country operates like a third world country