President Joe Biden has officially declared an emergency for lead-in-water contamination in the U.S. Virgin Islands following alarming test results. The test levels on St. Croix were over 100 times the limits set by the EPA, making it among the worst seen in decades in a U.S. community.
Frandelle Gerard, executive director of Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism, Inc., expressed fear and frustration regarding the situation on a personal level. Residents were instructed to cease using their taps, and bottled water distribution began. Lead’s devastating effects on childhood development, behavior, and IQ scores have raised a significant concern.
However, experts consulted by The Associated Press suggested that the frightening results might be inaccurate as they do not meet EPA standards. Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech lead and water expert, believes that the data should be disregarded, pointing out that false information often plagues communities facing lead crises.
On the Caribbean island of St. Croix, officials acted swiftly to notify residents of the results and declared an emergency. However, concerns arose regarding the accuracy of the sky-high results due to how the samples were collected. Further tests are being conducted to identify the root cause and resolve the issue. Regardless, St. Croix residents remain uncertain about the safety of their water.
The situation has overwhelmed the island, with many residents grappling with the aftermath of a devastating hurricane, the pandemic, and previous water contamination from a refinery. Frandelle Gerard described the reports as leaving people with more questions than answers due to the perplexity surrounding the testing and the safety of their drinking water.
The need for caution and oversight in safeguarding water quality in the U.S. Virgin Islands is clear. The island’s water system requires attention, which will involve significant upgrades in the coming years. As St. Croix deals with these challenges, they have received support from various sources, including the Walton Family Foundation, to address water and environmental policy issues.
For more in-depth environmental coverage, visit the Associated Press Environmental Hub at: https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment.
