The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority
Corporate Communications
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jean P. Greaux, Jr., Director of Corporate Communications
340-774-3552 extension 2147 or 340-244-7330
WAPA: “USVI WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY” FACEBOOK PAGE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL SOURCE OF INFORMATION;
WAPA WORKING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TO
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority advises the public to disregard all postings appearing on a fake Facebook social media page - “USVI Water and Power Authority”. The bogus page purports to be an official source of information from the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, and is posting misrepresentations about WAPA.
“Persons unknown have created a fake account, and are using WAPA’s logos, branding, and other advertising and promotion signatures to give the appearance of legitimacy. The Authority is working with Facebook to have the bogus account removed, and will take all necessary steps to stop the illegal use of its intellectual properties,” according to Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer.
Kupfer said Tuesday there is one official WAPA Facebook page, Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority, and “I encourage our customers to continue turning to that page for official information from WAPA.” In addition, information about the Authority is accessible on the utility’s website, www.viwapa.vi, on our telephone messaging system, on Twitter @VIWAPA, and via the free messaging system, WAPA ALERTS. “Persons who have not already done so are encouraged to visit our website and sign up for WAPA ALERTS. It is a messaging system that allows the Authority to inform subscribers about service interruptions, restoration times, planned interruptions, and any impacts to WAPA’s operations.”
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is an autonomous agency of the Virgin Islands Government which produces and distributes electricity and drinking water to residential and commercial customers in the territory. WAPA was created by the Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands in 1964 through Act No. 1248. Today, WAPA generates electrical power at production plants on St. Thomas and St. Croix, and distributes electrical service through smart grids to customers on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Hassel Island, and Water Island. Potable water is distributed to almost 13,000 customers through water lines and standpipes. WAPA also has the responsibility of installing and maintaining street lights.