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COMMITTEE ON DISASTER RECOVERY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLANNING BILL NO. 36-0286 Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands May 8, 2026 An act requiring the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to expand the potable water distribution system, performing necessary upgrades to the existing potable water distribution system, and installing fire hydrants in East End and North Side, St. Croix PROPOSED BY: Senator Hubert L. Frederick Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 1 SECTION 1. The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“VIWAPA”) shall perform 2 the following work in East End and North Side, St. Croix: 3 (a) plan, design, and implement the expansion and upgrading of the potable water 4 distribution system on St. Croix to serve high-density residential and commercial areas 5 that are currently not connected to the public potable water system. 6 (b) perform the necessary upgrades to the existing potable water distribution 7 system to achieve sufficient water pressure; 8 (c) implement subsections (a) and (b) in phases based on engineering feasibility, 9 geographic need, and available funding, provided that inland and underserved 10 communities are not delayed in receiving service; 11 2 (d) coordinate planning and implementation efforts with the Department of 1 Planning and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works, the Fire and 2 Emergency Medical Services, and any other territorial or federal agencies deemed 3 necessary to ensure efficient design, permitting, construction, and environmental 4 compliance; and 5 (c) install and maintain as many fire hydrants as necessary. 6 SECTION 2. The VIWAPA shall submit an annual written report to the President of the 7 Legislature no later than December 31 of each year detailing: 8 (1) progress made toward completion of the potable water expansion from 9 Frederiksted to Christiansted; 10 (2) communities served and communities pending service; 11 (3) expenditures to date and remaining funding needs; and 12 (4) any obstacles affecting timely completion of the project. 13 SECTION 3. The sum of $400,000 is appropriated beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 and 14 ending in Fiscal Year 2032 from the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund to the Virgin Islands 15 Water and Power Authority for the planning, design, construction, and completion of the 16 potable water distribution system expansion of East End and North Side, St. Croix. 17 BILL SUMMARY 18 This bill requires the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to expand the potable 19 water distribution system and perform necessary upgrades to the existing potable water 20 distribution system in East End and North Side, St. Croix. The bill also requires VIWAPA, in 21 conjunction with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Department of Public 22 Works, the Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and any other territorial or federal agencies 23 deemed necessary, to ensure efficient design, permitting, construction, and environmental 24 compliance. 25 25-1005/May 5, 2026/CBM 26