Washington Weighing Disaster Declaration for STX; Four Children Test Positive for Lead Exposure

A federal disaster declaration could bring $5 million in federal funds to help deal with the St. Croix water crisis, Government House said Monday during its weekly press briefing. The news comes as the V.I. Health Department reported that of 118 children tested so far for lead exposure, four have come back positive, pending definitive confirmation.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has requested the approval of a federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden due to lead found in the water supply on St. Croix, Government House Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. said, while offering additional updates on the USVI government’s response to the crisis, including information about testing school-aged children for potential exposure to lead.

Motta explained that, if approved, the disaster declaration will provide the territory with resources to continue addressing and resolving the water issues.

“Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has formally requested an emergency declaration from President Biden in response to this incident,” said Motta. “This action follows the Governor’s declaration of a local State of Emergency on Oct. 30, 2023, in response to hazardous levels of lead and copper detected in the water supply of St. Croix,” he continued. “Gov. Bryan’s request to President Biden for an emergency declaration is crucial to garner federal support to assist the territory in managing this unprecedented situation,” Motta added.