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Tutu Wellfield Site Tutu, St. Thomas, USVI COVID Community Update July 2020 Earlier this month, EPA resumed its work to repair the groundwater treatment plants at the Tutu Wellfield Superfund site in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Work had previously been paused due to concerns with COVID-19. As we continue to adjust to the evolving COVID-19 situation, EPA is taking the necessary steps to ensure that decisions about ongoing cleanup activities at Superfund sites are made with the health and safety of communities, EPA staff, state and tribal partners, and contractors as the priority. In April 2020, EPA had temporarily suspended repair activities at the Tutu Wellfield site until a team could appropriately mobilize to the Virgin Islands. The suspension of work was a temporary measure as we adjust to the ongoing situation with COVID-19. In early July, the repair team reusmed its work to repair the groundwater treatment plants at the site. EPA contractors are implementing updated health and safety plans specific to preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus during cleanup activities. These plans require best practices for site safety, including appropriate personal protective equipment for employees, health checks of employees, and other measures, in addition to promoting safe construction practices. EPA is monitoring site operations and the contractor’s health and safety practices. The decision to resume work was made in consultation with the Virign Island Department of Planing and Natural Resoucres. EPA will continue to work closely with state and local health officials, and all partners and stakeholders, to make determinations about site work based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s important to know that EPA maintains its ability to respond to environmental emergencies at Superfund sites or in any situation where we are called upon to protect human health and the environment by responding to releases of chemical, oil, radiological, biological, and other hazardous materials. Public participation is essential to the success of EPA’s community involvement program. If you have any questions, please contact: Donette Samuel Community Involvement Coordinator (212) 637-3570 Samuel.Donette@epa.gov Caroline Kwan Remedial Project Manager (212) 637-4275 Kwan.caroline@epa.gov Lou DiGuardia On Scence Coordinator (732) 906-6922 DiGuardia.lou@epa.gov For more information on the Tutu Wellfield site, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/tutu-wellfield For more information on EPA’s response to COVID, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus *615522* 615522