09:05 PM ET 07/28/99

Treated Sewage Flows Into Carribean

Treated Sewage Flows Into Carribean
By JEANNINE RELLY=
Associated Press Writer=
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) _ For the second time
in two weeks, a St. Croix island sewage plant has broken down and
is discharging chlorine-treated sewage into the Caribbean Sea.
A pumping station in northern St. Croix is discharging 144,000
gallons into the sea because of an electrical problem, De
of Public Works engineer Victor Stephenson said Wednesday. The pump
is to be repaired Thursday.
Earlier this week, a plant on the south side of the island
malfunctioned, discharging 43,200 gallons of chlorine-treated
sewage into the Cane Garden Bay until the pump was fixed Tuesday,
Stephenson said.
In June, the same two sewage pumping stations discharged
millions of gallons of sewage into the sea for more than three
weeks.
Antilles Resorts Management Inc. spokesman Adam Hoover estimates
that his company's three resort and condominium complexes have lost
$75,000 in business in the last six weeks because of the sewage
spills.
``To maintain the integrity of our company we notify travel
agents and wholesalers about the problem and they contact their
clients,'' Hoover said. ``Between the condominium and hotel guests
already on the property who check out and people with reservations
canceling, it's very easy to track the loss.''
The U.S. Virgin Islands have long been plagued by water quality
problems. Last year, a court case revealed dozens of violations of
the U.S. Clean Water Act since the 1970s.
But the U.S. Caribbean territory has more than $1 billion in
debt, and an overhaul of its sewage system is not in current
discussions.

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