A group of residents in the US Virgin Islands have filed a lawsuit against the local water utility after high levels of lead and copper were discovered in the tap water, causing widespread concern and prompting the distribution of bottled water to tens of thousands of people on St. Croix.
The class-action lawsuit, set to be served soon, alleges that the Water and Power Authority and Seven Seas Water Corporation failed to properly monitor and provide safe water. The CEO of the public utility, Andrew Smith, criticized the lawsuit, stating that the agency has been working to improve water quality in St. Croix.
The Florida-based Seven Seas Water Corporation, which supplies water to the public utility, did not respond to requests for comments. The attorney representing the residents stated that some of her clients have children with high levels of lead in their blood, emphasizing their pursuit of justice rather than monetary gain.
The investigation into the water contamination began after reports of discolored water on the island, and subsequent tests revealed elevated levels of lead and copper. Following these findings, the US Virgin Islands and President Biden declared a state of emergency, providing residents with bottled water vouchers.
However, despite concerns raised by experts about the testing methods, the attorney dismissed the possibility of false results, highlighting the detrimental impact on residents and criticizing the government’s handling of the situation. The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for affected individuals and the replacement of lead service lines at no cost to customers.
Lead contamination poses severe health risks, especially to children, and the lawsuit also raises concerns about the lack of regular water testing and the distribution of safe drinking water to vulnerable residents.
Source: Globeblognews
