VIWMA To Update LBJ Pump Station With New Funding; Plans Underway To Relocate Station

On Wednesday, the V.I. Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) advised the community that the LBJ Pump Station on St. Croix was offline due to mechanical problems, which caused an overflow of manholes in the Christiansted area.

The overflows occurred specifically near the intersection of Water Gut Street and King Cross Street, near the government parking lot. As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the LBJ Pump Station is back online. This comes on the heels of the announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of $3.6 billion in new funding from the Biden-Harris administration. The U.S. Virgin Islands will receive $21 million of that funding for infrastructure and wastewater improvements. Manhole overflows and sewage disruptions have been a problem for quite some time, occurring at least once a month, as confirmed by VIWMA’s Communications Director, Lorna Minkoff. Multiple community members have also complained about foul smells in the residential community near the former LBJ Garden Housing Community.

Minkoff confirmed that the funding will help to update these pump stations and others. As for plans for similar repairs to occur on St. Thomas and St. John, Minkoff said, “We do plan to work on St. Thomas and St. John as the grant money comes in, but right now the oldest problem one is the LBJ conversation.” VIWMA Manager Keith Smith said the overflow was due to a broken discharge line in the LBJ pump station. “The transmission line broke,” he confirmed. Smith mentioned that the issue is ongoing, and plans are underway to replace the outdated pump station completely. The station’s proximity to the ocean is a contributing factor, as it impacts the pipes. There are also plans to relocate the station.