March 15, 2020

WAPA SUSPENDS IN-PERSON VISITS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICES TERRITORY-WIDE;

ENCOURAGES ONLINE AND TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

            The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority advises its customers that effective Monday, March 16, 2020, customer service offices territory-wide will offer only limited service to walk-in visitors. To safeguard the public and its employees from potential exposure to the coronavirus, WAPA is recommending that all business transactions be conducted either online or via the telephone. This limitation will remain in place until further notice.

           “Limiting the interaction with the public is a necessary and critical move to safeguard the community and our employees in light of the spreading coronavirus,” Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer said Sunday. 

            While in-person visits and transactions will not be facilitated at the present time, customers requiring service, including applications for new service, and service transfers, are encouraged to contact WAPA via telephone. Customer Service offices can be reached at either 340-774-3552 or 340-773-2250 and selecting option 5. An larger number of customer service representatives will be assigned to the telephone system in anticipation of increased public demand.

          Additionally, cashiers will be available at all customer service locations to accept payments and self-service payment kiosks will remain operational allowing customers to make payments on accounts. Payment kiosks are accessible to the public at Petrus Plaza on St. Thomas from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily, and during normal business hours at The Marketplace office on St. John, and at the Sunny Isle office on St. Croix.

           Customers wishing to conduct business online should visit the WAPA website at www.viwapa.vi. Clicking on the “Pay Your Bill On-Line” button provides several options for online transactions.  Other payment options include Pay by Phone, placing a check or money order in drop boxes located at customer service offices, as well as making payments at branches of First Bank and Popular.

            Kupfer said over the last several weeks the Authority has taken steps to ensure that the WAPA workforce is both protected and informed about Covid-19 while maintaining normal levels of operation. “Our customer service staff is prepared to efficiently address all customer inquiries over the telephone, and I strongly encourage our customers to utilize all available options when conducting business with WAPA.”

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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 streetlights.