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
communications@viwapa.vi / www.viwapa.vi
August 27, 2019
WAPA CONTINUES MONITORING TRACK OF
TROPICAL STORM DORIAN;
COORDINATION IN PLACE FOR ANY RESTORATION EFFORT THAT MAY BE NECESSARY
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer on Tuesday reassured the community of WAPA’s general state of readiness for any impact from Tropical Storm Dorian, specifically on St. Croix where one to two inches of rain is forecast on Wednesday.
“Since the weekend, our management team has monitored this developing weather system, which according to the National Hurricane Center, is forecast to pass within 50-60 miles of St. Croix on Wednesday morning,” Kupfer said.
“Coordination is in place, and resources are readily available for damage assessment, and any required restoration efforts. Contractors presently on St. Croix are capable of performing damage assessment, and emergency restoration work through the use of 56 line workers. Preparations are in place to shift additional manpower from St. Thomas to St. Croix to commence initial restoration work if it becomes necessary,” he said.
WAPA’s goal is to restore critical government facilities within 24 hours of the storm including: hospitals, airports, seaports, VITEMA, and the emergency response agencies. Most of those are provided electrical service through underground circuits.
Within 24 hours of damage assessment, we will be best-positioned to determine if additional outside help is needed for restoration of service. WAPA has pre-staged arrangements to mobilize mutual aid assistance if needed, consignment agreements for material sourcing, emergency housing, and staging areas for debris collection.
In addition, Kupfer said, WAPA has taken stock of the fuel supply for our power plants as well as water storage capabilities in both districts. “In terms of fuel, we have approximately 12.5 days of propane fuel, a 14-day supply of No. 2 oil and 6,000 gallons of diesel and gasoline to support our vehicle fleet. Water storage on St. Croix is approximately 13.4 million gallons or water supply for four and a half days. Once it is safe to resume the operations of our seawater reverse osmosis units, we will do so.”
He encouraged everyone to regularly visit the WAPA website, www.viwapa.vi, Facebook, Twitter, and local media outlets for updates from WAPA.
To report an electrical or potable water service interruption on St. Thomas, St. John, Water Island or Hassel Island, call 340-774-3552, select option 4. On St. Croix, call 340-773-2250, select option 4. Reports of service interruptions can also be emailed to communications@viwapa.vi.
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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.
