USVI Governor seeks emergency declaration from President Biden amidst water contamination crisis

In an urgent plea to address a pressing environmental crisis, US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan has requested President Joe Biden to issue an emergency declaration for the territory. 

The crisis at hand revolves around a severe water contamination issue in St. Croix, threatening the well-being of its residents and the overall stability of the region.

Government House, in a statement released on Monday, emphasized the gravity of the situation and the critical need for federal support.

A 90-day lifeline:

The emergency declaration, if granted by President Biden, is slated to cover a critical 90-day period, commencing from November 15, 2023. 

It will also clear an additional US$5 million in resources for the territory.

Government House’s plea

Government House underscored the significance of Governor Bryan’s appeal to President Biden, highlighting its role in securing essential federal support. 

The statement from Government House explicitly states, “Governor Bryan's request to President Biden for an emergency declaration is crucial to garner federal support to effectively manage this unprecedented situation. This support is vital for implementing long-term solutions to ensure clean and safe water for all St Croix residents and restore normalcy in the wake of this environmental challenge.”

State of emergency on St. Croix

In response to the dire circumstances, Governor Bryan has already declared a State of Emergency (SoE) on St. Croix. 

This measure has put a cap on the pricing of bottled water and water truck haulers, with the primary aim of preventing price gouging during this crisis. 

Furthermore, the Virgin Islands National Guard has been activated to provide much-needed assistance to local agencies in their operational endeavors.

Environmental alarms

The water contamination crisis in St. Croix has its roots in hazardous levels of lead and copper in the water supply, a revelation brought to the forefront by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The EPA’s report, dated October 14, 2023, was based on water samples collected on September 28 and 29, 2023, sounding alarm bells about the extent of the problem.

Protecting the Vulnerable:

Amidst the turmoil, the Virgin Islands Department of Health has taken the initiative to conduct testing on children residing in St. Croix. 

The primary goal of these tests is to ascertain the levels of lead exposure among the younger population.

 So far, one suspected case was detected among a sample of Pre-K, First, and Second Grade children tested at the Lew Muckle Elementary School.