💧 Water and Power · St. Croix, VI
DPNR ordered corrective action after St. Croix water sampling found elevated lead in first-draw samples
Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/2023-pr/jic-release----executive-summary-clarifies-results-of-st.-croix-water-sampling.pdf?sfvrsn=2e6b7ee1_3
The Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority conducted follow-up lead and copper sampling on St. Croix in October 2023 after elevated levels were detected during testing tied to a red-brown water event, according to a Joint Information Center release published on October 27, 2023.
The release said 35 of 66 earlier samples had detected elevated lead and copper. On October 19, 2023, DPNR and WAPA collected 10 samples at John H. Woodson Jr. High School, Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, St. Croix Educational Vocational School/C-tech, Mt. Pleasant Housing Complex, and the Seven Seas water production site in Estate Richmond. The results were below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency action levels for lead and copper. Six of the 10 samples showed no detectable lead, and all 10 copper results were below the action level.
On October 21, 2023, DPNR and WAPA sampled 37 locations that had been tested during the red-water event. Two samples were collected at each site, a first-draw sample and a flush sample, for a total of 74 samples. The release said all 37 first-draw samples exceeded the EPA lead action level, with results ranging from 20 parts per billion to 1,400 parts per billion. After flushing, one sample point remained above the lead action level.
For copper, five of the 37 first-draw samples were above the action level. After flushing, all samples were below the copper action level, and more than half were undetectable, according to the release.
DPNR directed WAPA to change its corrosion-control treatment on St. Croix from polyphosphate to zinc orthophosphate, collect additional plant and distribution-system samples, test areas where lines and meters had been replaced with PVC piping and lead-free fittings, and replace service lines, brass fittings and brass meters at seven to 10 locations with the highest lead readings as a pilot study. The agency also directed WAPA to notify customers at the 37 sampled locations to flush water for about five to 10 minutes before first use each day.