President Biden Declares State of Emergency in U.S. Virgin Islands over Lead in Water Supply
The U.S. Virgin Islands has been plunged into a state of emergency as President Biden takes swift action following the detection of elevated levels of lead and copper in the water supply of St. Croix, the largest island in the territory. The news comes after the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority received reports of polluted water on October 13, prompting immediate investigations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the University of the Virgin Islands.
Of the 108 drinking water samples collected by the EPA, an alarming 38 contained more than 15 lead parts per billion, breaching legal requirements that stipulate water systems must take action in such cases. Additionally, several samples tested revealed copper levels exceeding the health standard of 1300 parts per billion.
Health officials have urged residents in affected areas of St. Croix to refrain from drinking the water or using it for brushing their teeth. However, it is considered safe for bathing purposes. The Water and Power Authority had previously distributed water vouchers to residents, but it remains unclear if more will be provided at this time.
Controversy has arisen regarding the sample collection process, with concerns raised about the accuracy of the lead level assessments. Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech professor who played a pivotal role in uncovering high lead levels in Flint, Michigan, suspects that the data may not have been collected correctly. He highlights a common practice among utility companies to test water samples outside of people’s homes rather than inside, as this allows them to demonstrate that water is free of lead before it enters private properties, thereby avoiding liability.
According to Edwards, collecting water samples from a meter can lead to the contamination of the sample with lead-brass fragments, resulting in misleadingly high lead concentrations. He believes that the response to such data, including President Biden declaring a state of emergency, may be an overreaction stemming from the aftermath of the Flint, Michigan water crisis. In that instance, officials were accused of suppressing evidence indicating high lead levels in the city’s water supply. Edwards suggests that in the case of the U.S. Virgin Islands, officials have erred on the side of caution despite inadequate data.
In an effort to assist the affected residents of St. Croix, the Biden administration will allocate federal aid to provide water, filters, and technical support. Lai Sun Lee, a principal advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, has been appointed to coordinate the recovery effort for the island that is home to approximately 40,000 people.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has sent personnel to the islands ahead of determining the residents’ specific needs. Meanwhile, officials have instructed residents to cease using tap water, with bottled water or rainwater collected via cisterns being recommended as alternatives.
FEMA has already distributed over 1,200 water vouchers to eligible residents of affected communities. Additionally, a comprehensive lead testing program has been implemented for children aged 0-6, with more than 350 tests conducted so far, all of which have returned negative results.
FEMA will continue collaborating closely with the territory and federal partners to address any unmet needs identified. The situation in the U.S. Virgin Islands highlights the critical importance of safeguarding water supplies and ensuring the well-being of communities across the country.
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