Frederiksted, St. Croix – October 25th, 2023 – Our Town Frederiksted, Inc. (OTF), a community advocacy organization, is deeply concerned about the recent findings of lead contamination in the potable water supply of St. Croix, as highlighted in the FEMA advisory released on October 14th, and discussed at the Community Environmental Dialogue hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on October 24th. The revelation of lead in our drinking water is a grave issue that demands immediate attention and action from WAPA.
For years, residents of St. Croix have been raising concerns about the quality of their water supply, particularly the discoloration commonly referred to as “brown water.” Regrettably, these concerns were often met with indifference, and WAPA’s CEO, Andrew Smith, publicly stated on September 12th during a government press briefing that there was nothing wrong with the brown water residents were experiencing. These dismissive statements, combined with the alarming findings of lead contamination, have left our community deeply troubled.
Our Town Frederiksted, Inc. calls upon WAPA to take immediate and decisive action to address this crisis:
1. Provide Impacted Customers with Filters: WAPA must make immediate arrangements to provide affected customers with certified lead-removal water filters, ensuring that residents have access to safe drinking water without delay.
2. Communicate a Clear Timeline for Water and Filter Distribution: We urge WAPA to communicate a detailed timeline for the distribution of water filters and water to affected households. Transparency in this process is crucial for regaining the trust of our community.
3. Suspend Charges for Contaminated Water: It is unacceptable for impacted customers to be burdened with utility bills for water that has been compromised by lead contamination. WAPA should ensure that these customers are not charged for the period during which their water was unsafe.
4. Provide Regular Data Updates: Within 14 calendar days WAPA shall provide a website with interactive maps and details on testing locations, test frequency, test results, current condition of water lines, and timeline for replacement of water lines. All data should include timestamps. In addition, WAPA shall release weekly press releases to keep the community aware of current water conditions and mitigation efforts. Press releases are essential for those in our community who still gather information from traditional media outlets.
Furthermore, we call upon WAPA CEO, Andrew Smith, to issue a public apology to the residents of St. Croix for downplaying their concerns and failing to acknowledge the severity of the water quality issues. Our community deserves accountability and a commitment to resolving this crisis.
OTF is committed to working collaboratively with WAPA and other stakeholders to ensure that the health and safety of our residents are protected. We believe that by addressing this issue transparently and swiftly, we can begin the process of rebuilding trust in our public utility provider.
