The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority
Corporate Communications
Contact: Jean P. Greaux, Jr., Director of Corporate Communications
340-774-3552 extension 2147 or 340-244-7330
communications@viwapa.vi / www.viwapa.vi
January 10, 2020
WAPA LAUNCHES SECOND PHASE OF FREDERIKSTED WATERLINE REHABILITATION PROJECT
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority launched the second phase of the Frederiksted Waterline Rehabilitation project with an announcement ceremony on Friday morning at the Verne I. Richards Memorial Park on the island’s west end.
The project, which is set to begin on February 10 and be completed on October 1, 2020, 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. Once completed, the water mains will improve both water quality and water pressure throughout St. Croix’s west end.
Officials turns shovels of dirt Friday morning in Frederiksted signaling the commencement of the second phase of the Frederiksted Waterline Rehabilitation Project. The project is funded through a $3.7 million grant from the federal government’s Drinking Water Capital Improvement Grant Program which is administered locally by the Department of Planning & Natural Resources.
From left to right: Noel Hodge, WAPA Chief Operating Officer of Water Systems, Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr., WAPA Executive Director / CEO Lawrence J. Kupfer, WAPA Board Chairman and Department of Property and Procurement Commissioner Anthony D. Thomas, St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes, Brian O’Reilly, Sr. of Our Town Frederiksted Committee Collective, Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol, and WAPA Director of Water Distribution, St. Croix District, Don Gregoire.
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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.