Bryan sought federal emergency declaration over St. Croix water contamination

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. requested an emergency declaration from President Joe Biden in response to hazardous levels of lead and copper detected in the St. Croix water supply, according to a Government House statement published Nov. 14, 2023.

Government House said the request followed Bryan's Oct. 30, 2023 declaration of a local state of emergency. If approved, the federal declaration would cover Nov. 15, 2023, through Feb. 13, 2024, and provide up to $5 million in additional resources for the territory.

The statement said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported the contamination to local authorities on Oct. 13, 2023, based on water samples collected Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, 2023.

Government House said the territory capped prices for bottled water and water truck haulers, activated the Virgin Islands National Guard to assist local agencies, and fully mobilized the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency on St. Croix.

The territory also activated the Joint Information Command on Oct. 16, 2023, conducted additional water sampling, and began testing school-aged children on St. Croix for lead exposure, according to the statement.

Government House said plans were underway to issue vouchers for drinking water to affected residents, and that the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority planned to provide water-purifying pitchers or sink tap purifiers that remove lead and copper.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-requests-emergency-declaration-from-president-biden-amid-water-contamination-crisis/