Supporting Resilient Water Infrastructure in the BVI
OWB and Almaquin collaborate with BVI to build a stronger water future, supporting utility teams through hands-on training, assessment, and strategic planning.
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In June 2025, Almaquin Enterprises partnered with Operators Without Borders (OWB) to support the Government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in strengthening water distribution infrastructure on the main island of Tortola. Over five days, OWB volunteers Rhonda Harris, Marcel Misuraca, and Mike Hewitt conducted a comprehensive technical assessment in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Water & Sewerage Department (W&SD).
With more than 100 years of combined operational expertise, the OWB team was welcomed by local staff who shared site access, historical data, and their insights. This partnership grounded OWB’s recommendations in lived realities and underscored a mutual commitment to reliable, safe, and equitable water service.
The OWB assessment produced a phased action plan focused on stabilizing operations and setting the stage for long-term resilience. With Almaquin’s support, the OWB team delivered:
- Site inspections and condition assessments of reservoirs, pump stations, and pipeline networks
- Training on District Metered Areas (DMA) and pressure management best practices
- A press conference with Hon. Kye M. Rymer to share findings and engage the public
- Recommendations for hydraulic modeling, SOP development, and organizational improvements
- A formal report outlining short-, medium-, and long-term system goals
Building Forward
The OWB roadmap submitted to Minister Rymer emphasizes not only infrastructure, but also institutional resilience. Key priorities include:
- Engaging an engineering firm to conduct a hydraulic model of the entire network
- Establishing a formal Asset Management Plan to guide long-term infrastructure renewal
- Conducting an organizational review to assess staffing levels and explore in-house engineering capacity
For Almaquin, supporting this mission reflects our belief in the power of peer collaboration and practical mentorship. By listening, sharing, and supporting where we are needed, we contribute to a global vision: safe water for every community, one utility at a time.
