Surrey, UK – 18 April 2024: Biwater is pleased to announce the successful recommissioning of the Burt Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Virgin Islands. The plant, which suffered damage during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, has been restored to full operational capacity through a collaborative effort with the Government of the Virgin Islands.
The recommissioning ceremony, held on Friday, 12 April 2024, marked a significant milestone in the recovery and enhancement of the Virgin Islands’ wastewater infrastructure. The event was attended by government officials, including Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, Deputy Premier, Hon. Lorna Smith OBE, the Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Kye M. Rymer, who emphasised the importance of the treatment plant in maintaining environmental standards and public health, and Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, who was the Minister for Communications and Works when the original Biwater project was signed.
Richard Smith, Director of Group Projects and Risk Division at Biwater, said, "We are delighted to see the Burt Point Wastewater Treatment Plant back in operation. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved with the Ministry team, local contractors and the team in the Biwater Turkey office. Biwater is proud to have played a part in helping deliver this state-of-the-art facility back to full working order for the community of Tortola."
The improvements made to the Burt Point facility include the installation of new equipment and infrastructure that had been damaged as a result of hurricane debris impacting the plant. The works included the addition of enhancements to the plant facility to assist maintenance operations and operator interface with the works. Additionally, a new Sewage Acceptance Plant was added to centralise the receipt of tankers, eliminating the current practice of discharging tanker sewage in central Road Town. These upgrades have assisted the plant in meeting more stringent sewage treatment standards, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing health safeguards in the Virgin Islands.
The Burt Point facility, which Biwater originally completed and handed over in February 2016, formed part of an extensive initiative to enhance Tortola’s water treatment capabilities in accordance with the Government’s long-term water and sewage management strategy. For this initiative, Biwater delivered two compact wastewater treatment plants, known as Bicoms, designed to manage the islands' wastewater flow. Additionally, Biwater constructed an award-winning seawater desalination plant in Paraquita Bay, ensuring a continuous and reliable potable water supply for the island.
Burt Point package wastewater treatment plant, Bicom Model 3000N
View of the enhancement of site lighting to the main Process Tank at Burt Point
View of the SCADA screen used to control the whole plant facility and report data
The Burt Point recommissioning ceremony was held on Friday, 12 April 2024
The Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Kye M. Rymer, received a copy of the Operating Procedures to the facility in a ceremonial handover by Richard Smith, Director of Group Projects and Risk Division at Biwater