WAPA removes waterline components in Strawberry Hill for lead testing

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said on Nov. 3, 2023, that it had completed exploratory digging in the Strawberry Hill area of St. Croix on Nov. 2, 2023.

WAPA said several components of an existing water pipeline were removed for lead testing, and a new service line with lead-free components was installed.

The authority said it would conduct additional testing to determine whether lead levels had fallen below the action level or were undetectable. It described the work in Estate Strawberry Hill as part of a pilot program tied to replacement of aging water service lines in areas where high lead levels had been identified.

WAPA said it planned to extend the program to other neighborhoods with high lead presence in their water supply and was working with contractors, agencies and the Office of the Governor on the replacement effort.

The Department of Health said residents with health concerns related to lead in potable water could call 340-712-6299 or 340-776-1519 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said residents with questions about sampling could call 340-514-3666 during the same hours.

The Department of Health also said lead exposure testing was available at Clinical Laboratory Inc. at Sunny Isle Medical Center on St. Croix and at the St. Thomas East End Medical Center at Tutu Park Mall on St. Thomas.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/authority-removes-waterline-components-on-st-croix-for-lead-testing-and-replacement/