Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (October 30, 2024) – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) advises the public that the Customer Service and Business offices territory-wide will be closed on Friday, November 1, 2024, in observance of D. Hamilton Jackson Day, traditionally known as “Bull and Bread Day,” and on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for Election Day. Offices will also be closed territory-wide in observance of Veterans Day on November 11, 2024. Bull and Bread Day marks an important celebration of Jackson's enduring legacy as a champion for freedom, equality, and the rights of Virgin Islanders. We join the community in honoring his contributions and encourage everyone to reflect on the impact of his work as a prominent labor leader, educator, newspaper editor and advocate for civil rights in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As we observe Election Day, we encourage all eligible Virgin Islanders to make their voices heard. WAPA CEO and Executive Director Karl Knight said, “Voting is one of the most powerful ways to impact our community's future. We urge everyone to go out, cast their vote, and help shape the path forward for the Virgin Islands.” As WAPA commemorates Veterans Day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in the armed forces. Their sacrifices have safeguarded our freedoms and shaped the path of our nation. We honor our veterans, both within the Authority and throughout the community, for their unwavering commitment. Their courage inspires us all, reminding us of the importance of unity and resilience in the face of challenges. Together, we stand in solidarity with those who have served, ensuring their contributions to our community and nation are never forgotten. Thank you to all our veterans for your service. The Authority thanks the community for their understanding. ### DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: https://buff.ly/4hp1mjM #VIWAPA #WAPA

📢 Attention WAPA Retirees!  Health Benefits open enrollment is from November 6 to 16, 2024. This year, a one-time benefit change is available only during this period— don’t miss it!  Enrollment Support & Info:  - St. Croix In-Person: Nov. 6, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Caribbean Cinemas - Virtual Session: Nov. 7, 9:00 - 10:30 AM (Call 850-583-5114, ID 361-807-44#) - St. Thomas/St. John In-Person: Nov. 8, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, UVI Columbian Hall  Questions? Contact Shania Milligan at 340-773-2250 ext. 4041 or email shania.milligan@viwapa.vi.  #WAPA #VIWAPA #USVI

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – October 29, 2024 – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) is urging all WAPA retirees to participate in this year's Health Benefits open enrollment period, running from November 6 through November 16, 2024. This year’s enrollment is critical as it includes a significant change in benefits that is only available for enrollment this year. Retirees who do not participate within this period will not be able to access this option at a later date. To help WAPA retirees understand and take advantage of this one-time opportunity, WAPA will host a virtual enrollment event and in-person enrollment assistance sessions in each district: In-Person Event – St. Croix: November 6, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Caribbean Cinemas on St. Croix - Bentek Assistance will be available from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Virtual Event: November 7, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM - Join Microsoft Teams Meeting - Call In Number: (850) 583-5114 - Conference ID: 361 807 44# In-Person Event – St. Thomas/St. John: November 8, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Columban Hall in Estate Tutu at the Holy Family Church on St. Thomas - Bentek Assistance will be available from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Bentek is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed from any desktop, tablet or smartphone. To access the site using a mobile device, visit: https://buff.ly/3AfDdvm We encourage all retirees to review their options and make any necessary updates to ensure they receive the full range of benefits available. Please contact Shania Milligan, Compensation and Benefits Analyst, HR department at 340-773-2250 ext. 4041 or via email at shania.milligan@viwapa.vi for assistance, or to learn more about this important enrollment change. ### DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: https://lnkd.in/eP6pg55q #WAPA #VIWAPA #OpenEnrollment

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – October 29, 2024 – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) is urging all WAPA retirees to participate in this year's Health Benefits open enrollment period, running from November 6 through November 16, 2024. This year’s enrollment is critical as it includes a significant change in benefits that is only available for enrollment this year. Retirees who do not participate within this period will not be able to access this option at a later date. To help WAPA retirees understand and take advantage of this one-time opportunity, WAPA will host a virtual enrollment event and in-person enrollment assistance sessions in each district: In-Person Event – St. Croix: November 6, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Caribbean Cinemas on St. Croix - Bentek Assistance will be available from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Virtual Event: November 7, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM - Join Microsoft Teams Meeting - Call In Number: (850) 583-5114 - Conference ID: 361 807 44# In-Person Event – St. Thomas/St. John: November 8, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the UVI Columbian Hall on St. Thomas - Bentek Assistance will be available from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Bentek is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed from any desktop, tablet or smartphone. To access the site using a mobile device, visit: https://buff.ly/3AfDdvm We encourage all retirees to review their options and make any necessary updates to ensure they receive the full range of benefits available. Please contact Shania Milligan, Compensation and Benefits Analyst, HR department at 340-773-2250 ext. 4041 or via email at shania.milligan@viwapa.vi for assistance, or to learn more about this important enrollment change. ### DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: https://lnkd.in/eP6pg55q #WAPA #VIWAPA #OpenEnrollment

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – October 28, 2024 – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA" or the “Authority”) is pleased to announce the progress on commissioning tests for the Phase 2 Wärtsilä engines on St. Thomas, marking a key milestone in advancing efficient and cost-effective energy generation for the territory. As part of this commissioning process, specific tests, including the Emergency Shutdown Test and Soft Start Test, have been successfully completed. Several feeders experienced brief outages yesterday morning from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the St. Thomas/St. John district; however, no customer was without power for more than two hours. The new Wärtsilä units bring several significant benefits for WAPA customers. Operating primarily on propane, these engines are highly efficient and designed to reduce operational costs, which will support long-term savings for customers across the Virgin Islands. The integration of these units not only enhances service reliability but also aligns with WAPA’s goal of sustainable, cost-effective energy generation.  LPG Emissions Test and further commissioning activities will continue throughout the month of November. WAPA extends its gratitude to the community for their patience and support during this phase, as the thorough commissioning process is crucial to preparing the new engines for safe and reliable service. With the successful completion of this phase, WAPA is excited about the enhanced capabilities these engines bring to our power system and looks forward to continued improvements in energy service and efficiency for the Virgin Islands.  The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication.  ### DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: https://buff.ly/4f3EWmA #VIWAPA #WAPA

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AT WAPA! PR-04- 25 | Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Territory-Wide AMI Solution RFP Date: October 25, 2024 ADDENDUM III See more details: https://lnkd.in/eV9Zxn7A #WAPA #VIWAPA #USVI

WAPA Line Crew, Water Crew, and Communications team had the opportunity to speak with students at the Julius E. Sprauve School during an outreach event on Thursday, October 24, 2024, about how power and water get to our homes, electric/utility safety, and energy and water conservation. Thank you to the staff and teachers for providing this opportunity to our youth during Energy Awareness Month! #WAPA #VIWAPA #USVI

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – October 26, 2024 – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) announces potential service interruptions tomorrow, October 27, 2024, between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. as contractors from Wärtsilä carry out essential commissioning tests for Phase 2 of the Wärtsilä engines. No feeder is expected to be without service for more than two hours. What is Commissioning? Commissioning is a critical process to prepare the new Wärtsilä Phase 2 engines for safe and reliable operation. During commissioning, engineers conduct detailed tests to confirm that all safety shutdown mechanisms function correctly and verify that each system component performs as required. This rigorous inspection process is essential to ensure the engines meet the highest safety and performance standards and are ready for reliable integration into the power grid. Why Might There Be Outages? As part of the testing process, the existing Wärtsilä Phase 1 engines will temporarily go offline, and the Phase 2 engines will also be offline for emergency shutdown tests. These precautionary measures ensure a smooth commissioning process and help reduce operational risks. During this time, WAPA’s generation capacity will be reduced, which may lead to brief service outages in some areas. WAPA and Wärtsilä teams are committed to completing the work promptly to minimize any inconvenience to the community. WAPA thanks the public for their understanding and patience as we work to enhance the reliability and efficiency of power services in the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication. ### DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: https://buff.ly/3YFoZgP #VIWAPA #WAPA

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – October 26, 2024 – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) is pleased to announce the Governing Board’s approval of the FY2025 budget at Thursday’s meeting, alongside several key action items that further reinforce WAPA’s focus on operational stability and strategic growth. The FY2025 budget approval marks a significant step in aligning WAPA’s resources with its strategic goals, supporting crucial initiatives in energy, water, and infrastructure development. This budget was initially discussed with the Finance Committee in July, with extensions granted to accommodate review under WAPA’s new Executive Director. Having this approved budget enables WAPA to move forward confidently in executing initiatives critical to the community. In addition to the budget, the Board approved all remaining action items, reflecting a shared dedication to WAPA’s continuous improvement and service reliability: • Time Extension for Kami Metals LLC, Contract SC-18-24 – Extending the contract to support continued partnership on essential service needs. • Employee Handbook Update – Approving updates that ensure WAPA’s policies reflect current standards and support a fair and productive work environment. The Board’s Finance and Audit Committee also approved several items to reinforce WAPA’s operational priorities: • Amendment to Arcadis Contract Terms (SC-11-22) – Enhancing terms in the Master Service Agreement for air consulting and engineering services to ensure compliance and environmental stewardship. • 2025 Employee Benefits Renewal – Renewing employee benefits to provide comprehensive, competitive offerings to WAPA’s workforce. • Alternative USLD Fuel Supply for Richmond Power Plant – Ensuring a reliable and cost-effective fuel supply for Richmond Power Plant operations. • Trident Industries, Contract SC-12-23 – Finalizing a contract to secure specialized services essential to WAPA’s mission. “Each action item approved at the board meeting underscores the Authority’s dedication to advancing initiatives that benefit our community, support our employees, and contribute to the reliable and efficient delivery of utility services,” said Karl Knight, CEO and Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. Additionally, the Board held discussions on personnel and legal matters; however, no formal action was taken. During the CEO’s executive report, the CEO provided updates on ongoing efforts and highlighted recent progress made in addressing key operational needs. The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication. ### Download PDF Here: https://lnkd.in/eWqqAK9S #VIWAPA #WAPA

ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – October 25, 2024 –The Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) wishes to update residents of St. Croix regarding the recent water service interruptions and express our gratitude for your patience during this critical work. On October 24, 2024, starting at 5:00 p.m., scheduled connections of new customers, commonly known as tie-in’s, caused low to no water pressure in various communities, including Richmond, Catherine’s Rest, Work and Rest, and others as previously noted. This outage was necessary to complete essential tie-ins near the Virgin Islands Territorial Public Health Laboratory and the Office of Emergency Medical Services Regulatory in Estate Richmond. While the initial project concluded on time at approximately 11:00 p.m., additional critical upgrades to the water system, including the meter and valves, at the Federal Building led to delays in restoring normal water pressure for our water customers. We understand the inconvenience this has caused and sincerely apologize for the disruptions. After their contractor completed the upgrades around 5:00 a.m., WAPA Water personnel quickly activated an additional pump station to improve service this morning. As a result, many customers began experiencing normal water pressure around 6:30 a.m. However, residents in elevated areas and those on the western portion of the island can expect normalized pressure within the next two hours. We would like to stress that this collaboration with their additional contractor to upgrade the water system at the Federal Building is essential for improving public health services in the Virgin Islands. We are committed to ensuring that the integrity and reliability of our water infrastructure continue to serve our community effectively. As a reminder, after an extended water outage, please flush your water lines by running taps for several minutes. To extend the life of your filter, remove it before flushing and reinstall it afterward. This helps clear any sediment that may have accumulated in the lines and ensures the continued quality of your water. Thank you for your continued support of our team and contractors as we work diligently to strengthen the reliability and effectiveness of our water systems. The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication. ### DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: https://buff.ly/3UmSbGG #WAPA #VIWAPA