A week-long sewer line break in Frederiksted that has caused a variety of problems in town is expected to repaired by Friday, according to Department of Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson.
The broken line caused classes at St. Patrick’s School to be cancelled since Monday and closed Fort Frederik Beach as two cruise ships visited Frederiksted on Wednesday and Thursday. A Department of Planning and Natural Resources environmental engineer estimated that 100,000 gallons a day of sewage was being discharged into the sea as a result of the break.
"We have enlisted a contractor" to place a sleeve on the line, Thompson said Thursday afternoon. "We expect it to be complete by Friday."
St. Patrick’s principal, Denise McIntosh, said the school was closed due to the potentially toxic odor coming from a nearby drainage canal. She said students were given assignments to complete while classes were closed.
"At this point we are hoping we’ll be back on Monday," McIntosh said.
Thompson, meanwhile, said he is "confident" the break will be repaired and the hole backfilled by the end of Friday. He said Public Works will do what it can to eliminate the odor coming from the drainage gut near the school.
"The gut will need some time to flush itself," Thompson said. "And we’ll take whatever type of steps necessary to alleviate the bad odor."
The commissioner attributed the Frederiksted break and a variety of other wastewater system ills to antiquated equipment.
"We’re looking at a sewer system that is deteriorating with age," Thompson said, adding that Public Works is looking to raise funds in a variety of ways including a bond issue and federal funding. A Waste Authority is also being developed to make operating the territory’s solid waste and wastewater more self-sufficient, he said.
