May 14, 2007 — Water customers east of Raphune Hill will not have access to large-capacity service for most of the rest of the year as the V.I. Water and Power Authority refurbishes and upgrades the Donoe water tank.
Work on the tank is expected to continue throughout most of this year, according to a WAPA news release. Normal water service will continue, but large water withdrawals from the system will not be possible while the tank is out of service, according to Werner Wernicke, chief engineer and director of water. A small pump system has been installed to meet the normal demand of the service area.
"All customers with large-capacity services, primarily for fire control, are reminded that such large flows cannot be furnished while the tank is being refurbished," the news release said.
The Donoe water tank will be refurbished at a cost of $1.75 million and is funded jointly by WAPA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water capital improvement grant program. "The work will refurbish this critical water storage tank as well as provide an upgrade for hurricane and earthquake protection," Wernicke said, according to the news release.
Once the tank is returned to service, a public advisory will be published. WAPA "regrets any inconvenience that may occur as a result of this service-enhancement effort," the news release said.
