St. Croix Residents Sue Over Lead and Copper Contaminated Water

Class-action lawsuit accuses local utility and water corporation of improper monitoring and failing to provide safe water.

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. Virgin Islands' Water and Power Authority and Seven Seas Water Corporation, accusing them of improper monitoring and failing to provide safe water.
The lawsuit comes after high levels of lead and copper were found in the tap water on St. Croix, causing panic and forcing residents to rely on bottled water.
The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for all expenses incurred by those affected and also replacement of all lead service lines at no cost to customers.
Despite the lawsuit, the public utility's CEO maintains that the agency acted swiftly and transparently after the test results became available and that officials are still working to improve water quality in St. Croix.
Some experts have suggested that the test results could be false as the testing did not meet standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but this has been dismissed by the attorney representing the residents.