Discharges of millions of gallons of sewage into the sea from the out-of-commission Figtree Pump Station continue even though a federal judge ordered the spills to be stopped nine days ago.
In a release Tuesday, Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson said critical electrical parts needed to get the pump station operational have been installed, but off-island technicians have yet to arrive to make the needed calibrations.
Thompson said the technicians were due to arrive from Atlanta Tuesday, but "circumstances" did not permit. The experts are now scheduled to arrive Wednesday.
On April 28, District Court Judge Thomas Moore ordered the Figtree Pump Station bypasses be stopped no later than May 8. He also laid out dates when the installation of pumps and other crucial equipment must take place.
V.I. government and federal attorneys have until May 19 to agree to final deadlines set by Moore to address a myriad of problems with Public Works’ wastewater system on St. Croix.
From that date, unless changes are made, the Figtree station must be fully operational with its full complement of pumps, back-up power and other equipment by June 30. By the same date, the LBJ station must have a number of fixes made, including all three of its pumps in operation.
Moore also calls for a series of repairs to the wastewater treatment plant so it can receive and treat inflows, the latest date being June 16. Moore has threatened jail time for public officials if the repairs aren’t made by the final deadline dates.
The delay with stopping the discharges at the Figtree station is because parts needed to repair it had to come from England, according to Thompson.
Thompson also said that by using a temporary pump at the LBJ station, sewage discharges over Long Reef have been stopped. Moore, however, noted that during peak hours or during heavy rains, the pump cannot handle flows and some discharges occur.
Thompson said Tuesday that a sewer line break near East Airport Road and the Melvin Evans Highway was repaired last Saturday.
