EPA sequential testing on St. Croix found lead and copper levels below action thresholds, Government House said

Government House said on Nov. 25, 2023, that sequential water testing conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on St. Croix found lead and copper levels at all tested sites below action levels, with many samples showing no detectable amounts.

According to the statement, the EPA, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources conducted the testing in early November in areas previously identified on St. Croix. The government said the EPA shared the results with the Virgin Islands government on Nov. 22, 2023.

The statement said some water-quality problems remained on St. Croix, primarily discolored water linked to aging ductile iron pipes. It said earlier elevated readings for lead and copper were now understood to have been largely caused by deviations from standard testing protocols, including sampling at the meter rather than at the tap.

Government House said the EPA's initial findings, reported on Oct. 13, 2023, differed from September tests conducted by WAPA under EPA protocols. In response to those earlier findings, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. issued a no-drink advisory, declared a local state of emergency and requested federal emergency support, according to the statement.

The administration also said it was working with WAPA on pipe replacement and corrosion-control improvements.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-albert-bryan-jr-announces-positive-results-from-epa-sequential-water-testing-on-st-croix-2/