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
PHASE II OF FREDERIKSTED WATERLINE REHABILITATION PROJECT KICKS OFF FRIDAY;
WATER QUALITY IN FREDERIKSTED TOWN TO SEE MAJOR IMPROVEMENT WHEN PROJECT IS COMPLETED
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority will launch the second phase of the Frederiksted Waterline Rehabilitation project with an announcement ceremony on Friday. The ceremony, which is open to the public, takes place at the Verne I. Richards Memorial Park in Frederiksted at 10 a.m.
Through a grant award of approximately $4 million, the second phase of the project will see the replacement of approximately 13,000 feet of six-inch water lines, and approximately 2,900 feet of ten-inch water lines in the town of Frederiksted. Leumas Engineering is slated to begin work on February 10, and completion is expected by October 1, 2020.
The first phase of the project replaced waterlines on Strand Street, King Cross Street, Fisher Street, and a portion of New Street, providing a more efficient means of distributing water to the residents and businesses on the west end of St. Croix. Federal funding will also be tapped for waterline rehabilitation and improvement projects in Hannah’s Rest, Campo Rico and Clifton Hill. These projects are scheduled for the middle of this year, and 2021.
The ongoing upgrades of the water distribution system in Frederiksted fills a need that has existed since the 1970s when it was determined that most of the existing lines were beyond their service life. As a result of the deteriorating lines, service interruptions caused by waterline breaks and poor water quality, continued to adversely affect residents of Frederiksted town. Once completed, the water mains will improve both water quality and water pressure throughout St. Croix’s west end.
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.