The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority announced it has completed major cleanup operations following a late 2023 fuel oil release that discharged approximately 4,900 gallons of No. 2 fuel oil into the environment.
Initial recovery efforts quickly removed a mixture of water and fuel oil, processed through WAPA’s on-site oil-water separator system in line with environmental safety protocols, according to the press release.
Substantial cleanup was completed by May 2024, and additional long-term mitigation measures were finalized last month, according to a press release issued by WAPA. While the authority awaits final documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard, officials say water quality testing and shoreline inspections have found no further environmental impact
As part of its ongoing environmental protection efforts, WAPA has upgraded its oil management infrastructure, including installing new containment catchments designed to prevent future releases. Personnel continue daily monitoring and maintenance of the catchment systems and surrounding areas to protect public health and the local ecosystem, the press release stated.
“We understand the concerns this incident raised for our community and our environment,” said Karl Knight, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. “My team alongside our local and federal partners have assured me that from day one, the priority has been to contain, clean up, and strengthen our systems to prevent future occurrences.”
