EPA dialogue in Frederiksted focused on St. Croix lead and copper sampling

Representatives of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Department of Health and VITEMA joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for an environmental dialogue in Frederiksted on Oct. 24, 2023, to discuss lead and copper concerns on St. Croix.

The meeting at Rotary Club West included discussion of sampling conducted with the University of the Virgin Islands, DPNR and EPA on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, 2023, including 16 priority locations that had historically and more recently experienced reddish-brown water.

Officials also discussed the need for resampling and customer outreach. According to the government statement, DPNR explained EPA lead and copper guidelines and said WAPA had moved from sampling every six months, then annually, to every three years after receiving EPA approval based on compliance with lead and copper requirements.

The statement said WAPA's most recent lead and copper testing cycle in September 2023 met the EPA's 90th percentile threshold, with two customers requiring notification of lead presence under EPA guidelines.

The agencies said resampling would be used to verify initial results and help assess water quality and remediation efforts.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/wapa-dpnr-and-others-joined-epa-at-the-environmental-dialogue-in-frederiksted-on-tuesday/