💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA said viral pipe video reflected broader problem of aging waterlines
Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/2023-pr/press-release-(11.1.23)--wapa-addresses-viral-video---aging-waterlines-in-the-usa.pdf?sfvrsn=981a7bbc_3
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said on Nov. 1, 2023, that it had not confirmed whether a pipe shown in a video circulating on Facebook belonged to WAPA, but said the footage reflected the broader problem of aging waterlines in the U.S. and the territory.
WAPA said that over the previous three years it had completed more water rehabilitation projects than in the prior decade, citing Environmental Protection Agency funding provided through the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
The authority said the Clifton Hill project on St. Croix had been completed through the Territorial Drinking Water Capital Improvement Program at a cost of $4.4 million. WAPA said the work included installation of 3,500 feet of 10-inch PVC pipe, 7,500 feet of 6-inch PVC pipe, 3,500 feet of 4-inch PVC pipe and 500 feet of 2-inch Schedule 80 pipe, along with hydrants, meter boxes and valves.
WAPA said the Campo Rico project on St. Croix was about 70% complete and carried an estimated cost of $7.3 million. The authority said the project was replacing older ductile iron waterlines with about 21,500 linear feet of new PVC pipe, valves, meter boxes and hydrants, and that its governing board had extended the scope and budget in October 2023 to expand service to additional customers.
The authority said the Hannah's Rest project, estimated at $3.3 million, was also planned to replace older ductile iron waterlines with PVC pipe, valves, meter boxes and hydrants. In the St. Thomas-St. John district, WAPA said additional rehabilitation projects were under review with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
WAPA also said FEMA had approved $1 billion under its Prudent Replacement Program for an overhaul of the St. Croix water distribution system, including 168 miles of infrastructure.