The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) has recently disclosed the resignation of Jacob Lewis, its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Lewis, who has been with WAPA for several years, is departing to explore new professional avenues. He will remain in his position until year’s end to ensure a seamless transition.

Andrew Smith, WAPA’s Chief Executive Officer, shared his thoughts on Mr. Lewis’s exit: “Having collaborated with Jake since 2015, his departure is a significant loss for us. Jake’s contributions have been pivotal in enhancing not only our financial operations but our organization as a whole.”

Lorraine Kelly, currently serving as WAPA’s Director of Accounting/Comptroller, will assume the role of Interim CFO. Ms. Kelly’s extensive career spans over three decades in finance and accounting, including key positions such as CFO of ASHINC Corporation and Partner at Tatum LLC. “Lorraine joined us a year ago and has played a crucial role in our ongoing organizational transformation,” Mr. Smith remarked, highlighting his confidence in her leadership abilities.

Ms. Kelly’s notable career achievements encompass leading financial and compliance initiatives that have steered companies facing financial difficulties towards growth and stability. Her excellence in the field has been recognized with several awards, including the Top Consultant at Tatum and the CEO Award of Excellence at Verizon. Additionally, her character and integrity have been celebrated with various accolades, including Marquis Who’s Who as Who’s Who Women “Professional Women of Influence” and Who’s Who in America awards in 2023.

Beyond her professional success, Ms. Kelly is actively involved in philanthropy, working with organizations such as Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Girl Scouts, Zonta International, and UNICEF. Her efforts are primarily focused on the empowerment of women and children and combating domestic violence and human trafficking. She is a resident of St. Thomas, where she lives with her family.

As WAPA bids farewell to Mr. Lewis, the organization extends its heartfelt appreciation for his significant contributions and warmly welcomes Ms. Kelly as the new Interim CFO. Under Ms. Kelly’s stewardship, WAPA is poised to continue its trajectory of success and achieve its strategic goals.

The Water and Power Authority (WAPA) is prolonging its diesel supply contract, notwithstanding its progression towards a propane-centric power generation infrastructure during the ongoing operationalization of four Wartsila generators.

On a recent Thursday, WAPA executives sought an extension for the prevailing fuel supply pact with Borinken Towing and Salvage from the Governing Board. The elongated contract is slated to endure until March 31, 2024, retaining the existing terms and conditions, as per WAPA CEO Andrew Smith. The cost is pegged at a ceiling of $19 million, encompassing the fuel—around 5.2 million gallons as stated by Mr. Smith—along with transportation at the current rates.

Mr. Smith elucidates that the specified 5.2 million gallon volume is predicated on present demands, and it will abundantly sustain power generation endeavors in the foreseeable future. The requisite for diesel is projected to plummet significantly as the new generators become operational. “The diesel consumption in our optimal operating configuration is anticipated to decrease to about 70 barrels daily,” Mr. Smith articulated, a substantial reduction from the existing consumption pace of up to 800 barrels daily.

WAPA has further insulated its financial outlook concerning cost management, as the $19 million allocation also embodies a 25% “premium” to cushion against prospective diesel price escalations. “There might be circumstances where…this amount might not suffice,” Mr. Smith acknowledged, alluding to the ongoing strife in the Middle East. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that the allocated funds would predominantly cover most price surge scenarios till March of the ensuing year. “We’ve incorporated a reasonable cushion in the $19 million,” Mr. Smith reassured the board members.

Moreover, the contract abstains from mandating any fixed purchase volume, highlighted by the WAPA CEO. “We’ve engaged in extensive collaborative dialogues with them,” Mr. Smith remarked about Borinken. “They comprehend that we’re in a phase of organizational transition concerning our fuel consumption,” he added, indicating that the fuel provider acknowledges the tapering need for diesel at WAPA.

During the last Thursday’s meeting, the resolution to extend the contract garnered unanimous approval from the members of WAPA’s governing board, bar Hubert Turnbull, who abstained from voting.

The Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority (WAPA) disclosed on Saturday that a recent testing exercise unveiled elevated concentrations of lead and copper in several water samples from St. Croix. Conducted on the preceding day, the tests indicated that 35 out of the 66 samples collected bore these worrying results.

WAPA suggests the problem could stem from stagnant water. Post-flushing and re-testing of the water lines significantly reduced or even eliminated the heavy metal traces in the vast majority of cases. Yet, areas including Diamond, Castle Burke Community, Colquohoun, and Mon Bijou continue to exhibit heightened levels of copper and lead even post-flush.

An in-depth investigation is underway to draw definitive conclusions, as stated by WAPA.

In a collaborative effort to address this, the Environmental Protection Agency, partnering with WAPA, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, and the University of the Virgin Islands, has pledged technical assistance for a thorough re-sampling endeavor on the St. Croix water testing project, according to the announcement by WAPA.

Simultaneously, WAPA is persisting with water line flushing across the distribution network, particularly focusing on the four aforementioned communities where elevated metal levels persist.

While WAPA assures that the majority of the community is not consuming this water, it has nonetheless forwarded several recommendations for minimizing exposure to these metals:

1. Engage in a thorough flushing of water lines by running taps for several minutes, taking showers, doing laundry or washing dishes.
2. Utilize cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula, avoiding the use of hot water tap which may have higher lead solubility.
3. Identify and substitute plumbing fixtures containing lead. Even fixtures labeled as “lead-free” may have up to 0.25 percent weighted average of lead, as per current regulations. Look for lead-free certification marks for assurance.
4. Consider employing a filter certified for lead removal post-water flushing, verifying manufacturer claims through independent certifying bodies.
5. Regularly clean faucet aerators to diminish debris accumulation, which could harbor metal particles.
6. Opt for alternative water sources like bottled water until lead concentration in the drinking water is alleviated. Engage in periodic re-testing of water for lead by contacting local laboratories such as Ocean Systems Laboratory at (340) 718-3246 located at 4049 La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, VI 00820.

WAPA highlights that efforts are ongoing to revamp the entire water distribution framework in St. Croix, aiming for a long-term resolution to the water discoloration and metal contamination issues.