March 27, 2003 – An LBJ Pump Station mechanism gave way late Wednesday afternoon, causing "minimum" spillage of sewage into the water from Christiansted Wharf to Golden Rock, a statement from the Public Works Department said.
The department immediately called on two contractors, the Renaissance Group and GEC Services, to fix the problem, Public Works Commissioner Wayne Callwood said in the statement.
He said Public Works coordinated with the Planning and Natural Resources Department and the contractors to develop and implement an action plan within hours of the malfunction. "Spillage was minimal and quickly contained due to the department's fast response time," he said.
For the next four or five days, crews will work around the clock to correct the problem, Callwood said. "A diver will be checking the integrity of the emergency outfall pipeline and placing sleeves or patching any existing leaks," he said, adding that the entire outfall pipe will be replaced once the current problem is resolved.
A DPNR notice advised the public to stay away from the water, including fishing, between Christiansted Wharf and Golden Rock until the problem is corrected and public health concerns have been alleviated. The advisory also said parents should keep children away from these waters and adjacent beaches.
For more information about water quality, call the DPNR Environmental Protection Division at 773-1082.
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