Works Minister denies that gov’t pays for unused water
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer has attempted to debunk claims that the government is required to pay for more than two million gallons of water per day, whether it uses that quantity or not.
Rymer was at the time responding in the House of Assembly to complaints about the inadequacy of the water supply in the territory, which he said have grown louder in recent months.
“I am very aware of the public’s frustration, and I am also confident that this government will bring an end to this dilemma,” Rymer told lawmakers. “This is not an easy fix, as the issues are long-standing ones. So, as we have been doing, we ask for the public’s continued patience as we navigate towards implementing long-term solutions.”
According to Rymer, there is a public misconception that the government is obligated to pay Seven Seas — the company that bought the plant from BiWater in 2015 — for 2.3 million gallons of water daily, whether the government takes the water or not.
“In an effort to debunk the idea that we are paying for water that we do not receive, it is important to note that this contract has three payment cost components,” Rymer said. “There is a capacity charge, a consumption charge, and electricity charge.”
Minister Rymer further explained that the capacity charge covers the cost just to be able to operate and maintain the water desalination plant.
“The capacity, in this case, is at a base flow of 2.3 million gallons of water per day,” he added. “This means the plant is constructed with the ability to produce a minimum of 2.3 million gallons of water per day.”
According to the Minister, the consumption charge covers what the government actually takes from the plant and he said this is monitored by monthly meter readings.
“Therefore, in addition to the capacity charge to maintain the plant to produce the 2.3 million gallons daily, the government then pays for the water it receives,” Rymer said. “The electricity charge is also paid by the government.”
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IS it the 3rd district representative that you are throwing that to ? , If so then say so ( don’t let anybody try make the government look bad , if it isn’t true what they are saying / set the record straight please
People play the tapes!! Our issues with water started under a VIP Administration. For the Minister who is a member of the VIP to be here saying it is a longstanding issue blah blah blah and they will fix it is disingenuous! Yes, your party messed it up and yes you should fix it without looking for brownie points. I am sick and tired of this nonsense now. Your party is what put us in the mess whether you were there or not!
that the various BVI governments since the introduction of desalinated water in the early 80’s cannot handle the production and distribution of potable water on the various BV islands.
Perhaps the time has come for the political government to turn over all the distribution of water to private companies.
Government don’t produce it distribute so it seem like the distribution system was not improved. based on what has been said no serious money has been placed to improve and upgrade the water infrastructure over the number of years. It seems like it’s the same thing happening at public works and solid waste to. Limited funding. How can any progressive agency operate or improve their services when government keeps slashing their budget.
Would someone please clarify for me. These are the words the article quotes the minister as saying:
“The capacity, in this case, is at a base flow of 2.3 million gallons of water per day,” he added. “This means the plant is constructed with the ability to produce a minimum of 2.3 million gallons of water per day.”
According to the Minister, the consumption charge covers what the government actually takes from the plant and he said this is monitored by monthly meter readings.
“Therefore, in addition to the capacity charge to maintain the plant to produce the 2.3 million gallons daily, the government then pays for the water it receives,” Rymer said. “The electricity charge is also paid by the government.”
If we’re paying a capacity charge to maintain a minimal production level and then paying for what we actually use, aren’t we paying twice for the same water? Someone please help me understand.
I don’t trust these guys. I only trust the Auditor General. Let her tell us what’s up
Flowing down Russell Hill for weeks now.
WSD and PWD – no one cares at all.
Let it flow, let it flow.
So tell us what we have been paying on average monthly.
Or is that a secret?
“Therefore, in addition to the capacity charge to maintain the plant to produce the 2.3 million gallons daily, the government then pays for the water it receives,” Rymer said. “The electricity charge is also paid by the government.”
Seems like the Government paying for everything.
Seems so to a lot of us. It also seems like he is getting slow too.
Hon. Kye Rymer, we need water up Rogues Bay. We have none to date.
I guess that he considers all the leaks as used water.