The V.I. Water and Power Authority will cut water service to several St. Croix neighborhoods Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to install a pressure-reducing valve station on the water line on Queen Mary Highway, near Estate Mint, WAPA announced Wednesday.
Affected areas include: estates St. Georges, Mt. Pleasant West and Diamond West.
The valve stations, which help regulate water pressure in the main lines, are being installed throughout the water distribution system as the first part of a pressure-management plan for WAPA’s St. Croix water system.
The valves promote a longer life for the entire water system, provide significant savings in water and energy consumption, and reduce line loss, according to a statement from WAPA.
During the last several months technicians have installed valve stations in estates Profit, Castle Burke, Humbug, Glynn, Williams Delight and in Sunny Isle. In addition to this week’s installation in Estate Mint, valves will be placed in Estates Two Williams and Richmond during the next several weeks.
Technicians will also install altitude valves on four water storage tanks throughout the island, which will automatically prevent water overflow when the tanks reach their maximum holding capacity.
This first phase of the pressure-management project is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act federal stimulus program at a cost of $852,000, according to WAPA.
WAPA is asking motorists and pedestrians to obey all traffic directions while approaching the project site near Estate Mint.
Questions and/or concerns can be directed to the Water division at 773-7795 and 773-3775.