Water Distribution crews completed repairs to a ruptured 24-inch water
main along the St. Thomas waterfront bulkhead on Monday facilitating the
restoration of service to customers in a number of affected areas.
WAPA Chief Operating Officer, Water System, Noel Hodge said crews
completed excavation of the damaged section of pipe early this morning.
“Our crews removed approximately 19 feet of cast iron pipeline and
replaced it with new piping. By mid-afternoon, crews began to slowly
recharge the water system. It is expected that the water distribution
system will be flushed before water service is restored to customers
this evening in a bid to avoid any discolored water reaching our
customers.”
Ahead of the water main repairs, underground electrical transmission
cables which run parallel to the compromised waterline were de-energized
to allow crews to safely carry out the water system repairs. “The
electrical grid was reconfigured and, in essence, bypassed the
transmission lines which connect the Randolph Harley Power Plant to
electrical substations in Long Bay, Tutu, and St. John,” said Clinton
Hedrington Jr., Chief Operating Officer, Electrical System. “Customers
did see momentary service interruptions on a few feeders earlier today
when we extended the reach of the feeders, and again this afternoon when
we normalized the electric grid at the completion of the water system
repairs.”
Hodge anticipated that all affected customers would see a restoration of potable water service by Monday night.
WAPA Chief Executive Officer Lawrence J. Kupfer thanked the men and
women of the Authority who have “worked tirelessly this weekend to
restore service on the electrical and water distribution systems. I
extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our electrical, water and
administrative staffs for their efforts over the last few days. I also
thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we worked
through the challenges which confronted our electrical and water
systems.”
Persons who may be experiencing an isolated electrical or water service
interruption should contact WAPA at 340-774-3552, Option 4 or email,
communications@viwapa.vi