PSC Hears Grim Assessment: WAPA Ill-Prepared for Upcoming Storms, Financial Stability in Question

With key equipment depleted, WAPA faces a daunting hurricane season with limited resources and outside dependence

On Tuesday, Water and Power Authority Executive Director Karl Knight told members of the Public Services Commission that tropical storm Ernesto had significantly reduced the utility’s readiness to handle any potentially stronger storms later on in what is predicted to be a highly active season. “How would you rate your preparedness?” PSC member Pedro Williams enquired, asking Mr. Knight to use a 10-point scale.

“I think we went into Ernesto at a seven. We’re probably at a four now,” Mr. Knight responded. “We've depleted inventory on conductors. We're razor thin on inventory on transformers,” he explained. “I need to get some of my bucket trucks out of the shop,” he continued. Mr. Knight also articulated the need to possibly engage a tree trimming contractor “so I don’t have to tie up my line workers doing tree trimming.” As he expressed at WAPA’s recent board meeting, Mr. Knight also pointed to the need to hire additional in-house line crews to bolster staff numbers. Currently, “I’m very dependent right now on outside groups.”‌