Hovensa refinery is distributing water at the St. Croix Animal Center in Clifton Hill for Fredensborg and Clifton Hill residents who were advised not to drink their cistern water in the wake of an oil-release incident Thursday, refinery officials said Friday.
Water will be available at this location for residents of Estates Clifton Hill and Fredensborg from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Residents who are homebound can arrange for water to be delivered to their home by calling 692-3999. Additionally, a Communication Call Center has been established. Residents may contact the Communication Center at 692-3999 and report their concerns.
Thursday morning, a problem at the plant caused a spray of partially refined hydrocarbons into the air above St. Croix — the third such incident since mid-September. Hovensa sent crews into the surrounding neighborhoods and reported finding signs of oil on the walls, windows and downspouts at St. Croix Central High School and homes in the Clifton Hill and Fredensborg neighborhoods. The V.I. Health Department then advised residents of those neighborhoods against drinking their cistern water until it can be checked.
On Thursday, a number of students at the St. Croix Central High School reported various illnesses, including runny nose, vomiting, itchy eyes and sore throat, and as a precautionary measure, school administrator evacuated the campus and students were dismissed early. More than 30 students were admitted to Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, treated and released, according to a statement from the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
School was let out early Friday as well, when several students complained of smelling gas. According to the refinery, there was no release or other incident Friday.
"We deeply regret this incident and the distress it has caused residents downwind of the refinery,” said Hovensa’s acting Chief Executive Officer in a statement. “Hovensa will thoroughly review this incident in addition to those that occurred in September and take appropriate corrective action to prevent a recurrence."
On Friday, VITEMA convened a conference with the commissioners of the departments of Planning and Natural Resources; Health; Education, V.I.Attorney General Vincent Frazer; and Hovensa’s incident commander for an update on the refinery’s efforts.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency team is also on the ground assessing and monitoring Hovensa’s response and sampling droplets found in and outside the refinery, according to VITEMA. The EPA team will work alongside DPNR and Health Department officers who are already are part of Hovensa’s incident command center, according to DPNR, which is currently conducting its own, independent investigation.