IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Violation of Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
Failure to Develop and Make Publicly Accessible a Lead Service Line Inventory
Public Water Systems:
VIWAPA – St. Thomas/St. John District (PWS ID: VI0000443)
VIWAPA – St. Croix District (PWS ID: VI0000097)
April 1, 2026
What Happened?
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA) did not meet the requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).
Under federal regulations (40 C.F.R. §141.84 and Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 141), all community water systems were required to develop and make publicly accessible an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024.
VIWAPA did not complete and/or make publicly accessible this inventory by the required deadline for the systems listed above. As a result, both systems incurred a treatment technique violation, which requires issuance of a Tier 2 Public Notice within
30 days (by November 16, 2024). This notice fulfills that requirement.
What Does This Mean?
This violation is not an emergency and does not mean that your water is unsafe to drink.
However, the service line inventory is a critical requirement intended to:
- Identify locations of lead service lines or lead-containing materials
- Support efforts to reduce potential exposure to lead in drinking water
- Ensure regulatory transparency and compliance
Because the inventory was not completed by the required deadline, there may be incomplete information regarding the presence of lead service lines within the distribution systems.
What Are the Health Effects of Lead?
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women, infants, and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and household plumbing.
Lead exposure can result in:
- Damage to the brain and kidneys
- Reduced IQ and attention span in children
- Developmental delays
For more information on lead and steps to reduce exposure, visit: https://www.epa.gov/lead
What Is Being Done?
VIWAPA is actively taking corrective actions to address this violation, including:
- Completing the Lead Service Line Inventories for both districts
- Conducting records review, system mapping, and field verification of service line materials
- Coordinating with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Virgin Islands Department
of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)
- Preparing the inventories for public accessibility in accordance with federal requirements
- Implementing enhanced internal compliance review procedures to ensure timely regulatory
reporting and public notification
What Should You Do?
No immediate action is required. However, as a precaution, you may:
- Flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking if water
has been stagnant
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking
- Consider using a certified water filter if concerned about lead
For More Information
Contact: communications@viwapa.vi
Please Share This Information
This notice is being provided to all persons served by these water systems. Please share this
information with others who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this
notice directly (e.g., tenants, residents, schools, and businesses).
