Gov’t fixes water quality issue at Handsome Bay

The government has addressed a bothersome issue of poor water quality and a foul odour emanating from the taps of residents of Virgin Gorda.

Director of the Water & Sewerage Department Brian Davis said the foul smell which affected residents of Valley, Virgin Gorda — particularly those who are connected to the public water supply — was as a result of seaweed build-up around the vicinity of the Handsome Bay Water Production Plant.

Davis said his department conducted a number of tests at various sample points, including the water plant, the reservoir, as well as north and south Valley areas in the distribution system.

Results of these tests showed that there was no bacteria found in the water, Davis said.

According to the Director, a number of measures were implemented to eliminate the foul smell as well as any other risks that may have occurred.

Davis said Water and Sewerage Department personnel also flushed the lines in areas that are considered dead-end to eliminate stagnant and any compromised quality of foul odour smell. He added that the cleanup of the sargassum build-up at the Handsome Bay shoreline has commenced.

Meanwhile, Communications & Works Minister, Kye Rymer, apologised to consumers in Virgin Gorda for any inconvenience or anxiety caused and assured them that the matter had been resolved.

Rymer also thanked stakeholders, staff of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Water and Sewerage Department and the Handsome Bay Water Plant who played a role in speedily resolving the matter.