Heavy rains are delaying V.I. Waste Management Authority projects territory-wide and have caused sewer overflows on St. Croix from storm water entering the system, according to a WMA release.
The repeated deluges of recent weeks have caused blockages, collapses and overflows to various lines, according to a WMA statement. The continued rains have also slowed response time and progress in completing local and federal stimulus, due both to saturated soil and the rain itself, according to WMA.
On St. Thomas, work at Weymouth Rhymer and Bovoni Hill has been particularly affected. On St. Croix, work at Whim, Catherine’s Rest and the LBJ Housing Community has also been slowed, according to WMA.
These projects require excavation, trenching and replacement of piping. The soft conditions of the grounds from the continued rains since August have left the construction sites soggy and unstable, making conditions potentially dangerous, according to WMA.
During any work delays caused by the weather, WMA says it will continue to disinfect and deodorize the immediate areas. Residents and motorists are asked to avoid walking or driving through standing water in the affected areas. Also, the high water flow in the sewer lines has caused manhole covers to pop off, leaving open manholes that may be covered by standing water. This has occurred on St. Croix west of the Holger Danske Hotel in Christiansted and by Lobster Street in Gallows Bay.
Residents are asked report any overflows or open manholes to the VIWMA at 713-1962 on St. Croix and 774-4139 on St. Thomas/St. John.
