WAPA said FEMA-funded planning advanced for St. Croix water distribution replacement

Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/2023-pr/press-release---authority-meets-with-fema-and-local-stakeholders-to-discuss-master-plan-for-st.-croix-s-water-distribution-system.pdf?sfvrsn=1c0aab4e_3

Archive page: https://www.viwapa.vi/news-information/press-releases/press-release-details/2023/06/08/authority-meets-with-fema-and-local-stakeholders-to-discuss-master-plan-for-st.-croix-s-water-distribution-system

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said on June 8, 2023, that it had concluded a two-week workshop with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local agencies on a master plan for replacing St. Croix’s underground potable water distribution system.

WAPA said FEMA approved grant funding in mid-2022 to replace the island’s entire underground potable water distribution system and provided a $30 million sub-award for master planning and conceptual design.

According to the authority, the planning process included visits to pump stations and storage tank sites on St. Croix. Carollo Engineers began collecting data for a hydraulic model intended to identify parts of the existing system that did not meet industry standards and would need replacement.

WAPA said the master plan was scheduled for completion in early 2024. The authority said the timeline for developing the project’s scope and cost was set for the end of August 2023.

The authority said participating stakeholders included the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority, Virgin Islands Fire Service and Virgin Islands Housing Authority.