Health

WAPA CEO Granted Increased Spending Authority of $5 Million Amid St. Croix Water Crisis

Amid the St. Croix water quality crisis, the V.I. Water and Power Authority Governing Board on Monday increased WAPA CEO Andrew Smith's spending limit from $750,000 to $5 million. This increased in spending authority will remain effective until March 31, 2024, and is exclusively earmarked for the water quality crisis interventions on St. Croix, WAPA said in a release. As a condition of this increased spending authority, Smith is mandated to submit weekly expenditure reports to the board, offering transparency and accountability for every dollar spent, according to WAPA. The governing board retains the right to adjust the duration and specifications of this emergency increased funding as circumstances dictate, according to the release. The allocated $5 million will be channeled towards a diverse range of emergency response actions, including: Infrastructure Repair and Replacement Personnel and Labor Costs Water Quality Testing and Analysis Emergency Communications and Public A...