💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA board approved contract changes and received project updates on February 23, 2023
Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/2023-pr/press-release---wapa-governing-board-meets-to-discuss-new-developments-and-approves-key-items.pdf?sfvrsn=f75c9acc_4
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s governing board met on February 23, 2023, to approve several contract-related items and receive updates from Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Andrew Smith.
According to WAPA, Smith told the board the Clifton Hill water project on St. Croix was about 90% complete. He said work on aging water infrastructure could involve scheduled and unexpected outages as the system is updated.
The board approved an extension for the Midland Underground Project, identified as SC-23-20, moving its expiration date from February 28, 2023, to May 1, 2023, because of manufacturing and shipping delays for materials. It also approved an extension for the Cruz Bay Underground Project, SC-39-21, from February 15, 2023, to August 15, 2023, to allow contractors to complete documentation and give the Federal Emergency Management Agency time to process it.
The board also approved an amendment to BDO contract SC-02-21, adding $115,000 for costs tied to completion of WAPA’s fiscal year 2020 financial audit and single audit, and extending the contract through April 30, 2023.
In addition, the board authorized WAPA to enter into a contract with DeNoxDirect to supply urea for the Randolph Harley Power Plant new-generation Wartsila engine and battery energy storage system project. WAPA said the contract had a two-year term, with an option for one additional year, at a cost of no more than $6.5 million a year. The utility said the urea supply was required to meet air-emissions standards in the plant’s construction permit.