Water & Sewerage Authority Act to be repealed and replaced

The government has announced plans to repeal the Water and Sewerage Authority Act of 2022.

Governor Daniel Pruce announced the move during the recently delivered Speech from the Throne, which marked the opening of the new legislative session.

The repeal is part of a broader initiative to integrate the management of water and energy services under a single statutory body. “The Water and Sewerage Authority Act, 2022, which established the Water and Sewerage Authority as a statutory corporation to provide water supply and sanitation services, will be repealed and replaced by the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Act, 2025,” Governor Pruce stated.

The integration will combine these essential utilities with the existing functions of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC).

The Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Act is expected to address long-standing challenges in providing water and sewerage services by leveraging a cost-effective, unified approach. By merging these utilities, the government hopes to improve efficiency and reliability for residents while addressing ongoing infrastructural concerns.

Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer previously announced that the entities would be united under one umbrella, arguing that there was a proven business model within the BVIEC and that Rymer there was ‘no need to reinvent the wheel’. “They have the experience and they have a board structure in place,” Rymer said. “We are bringing Water and Sewerage into a statutory body.”

Opposition members opposed the move following the announcement, highlighting the WSD’s significant financial losses and inefficiencies.

The new approach reportedly aligns with the government’s National Sustainable Development Plan, creating a more cohesive framework for resource management and public service delivery. Governor Pruce noted that this effort reflects a “dedication to transparency, efficiency, and accountability.”

The Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Act is expected to bring modern solutions to the territory’s utility services while reducing operational redundancies. The legislative proposal is part of a broader theme of infrastructural development planned for 2025.