Ground Water Extremely Limited: Protect It

Groundwater accounts for approximately 30% of the water supply in the Virgin Islands.  In 1989, the Virgin Islands experienced the Hurricane Hugo, which was a category IV hurricane.  During this time, the groundwater provided 100% of potable water on the island of St. Croix.  Thus, it is important to protect and conserve this natural resource in the Virgin Islands.

The Week of March 9 – 15, 2008, is National Groundwater Awareness Week.  Groundwater is a limited resource and we must conserve this resource.  The Department of Planning and Natural Resources-Division of Environmental Protection (DPNR-DEP) regulates the uses of groundwater in the Territory.  Permits are given for well drilling and appropriation.  In addition, DPNR-DEP continues to work with well owners and to facilitate the testing of groundwater to ensure a safe drinking water supply.

Pollutants from man-made sources can seep into groundwater supplies through the soil.  One example is the Tutu Wellfield Site on St. Thomas where the wells contamination was discovered in 1987.  The contaminants found in the Tutu aquifer included petroleum products and other volatile organic compounds.  Upon discovery, closure of the wells supplied by this aquifer was immediate and several years later the process has begun to clean-up the groundwater in the Tutu aquifer.  These remediation processes underway at the site will be completed during a long period of time.  This aquifer covers approximately 108 acres and is considered one of the largest aquifers in the Virgin Islands.

Therefore, to protect the remainder of our available groundwater supplies, we must be vigilant in pollution control efforts.  Several ways to protect our groundwater from pollutants and contaminants are disposing of chemicals in the proper manner, limiting our use of fertilizers, and maintaining our septic systems. 

Another threat to our groundwater resources is overuse.  By over-pumping or using groundwater faster than it can be replenished, we stand the risk of depleting this water supply or causing possible contamination through salt-water intrusion.  Groundwater is replenished from rainfall.  It can be a slow process since it takes time for water to move through the soil to our aquifers.  The amount of water absorbed in to the earth depend on vegetation, slope, soil and human intrusion such as paving, and removal of forested areas which result in greater runoff than soil infiltration. 

What are we doing to protect this resource?  DPNR-DEP’s Groundwater Program has three key assignments as it relate to groundwater protection.  They include well permitting, wellhead protection and well inventory.

It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the Government of the Virgin Island, in recognition of its sovereign duty to conserve and control it water resources for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Virgin Islands, that comprehensive planning and regulation be undertaken for the protection, conservation and development of the water resources of the Virgin Islands to the end that they shall not be wasted and shall be used to the fullest extent to meet the present and future needs ant domestic, agricultural, commercial industrial, recreational and other public beneficial purposes. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources-Division of Environmental Protection (DPNR-DEP) also want to remind the public that “No person shall have the power to take or withdraw water without first obtaining an appropriation permit from the department.”

Through well permitting, the Department inspects sites to determine safety from potential contamination sources, ensure proper techniques are used when drilling a well, and evaluate safe pumping rates based on the needs and capacity of the aquifer.

Through wellhead protection, the Department has maps of major well fields and the land around the area to intercept anything that may threaten water quality.

The well inventory helps the Department maintain records of aquifer conditions, location and pumping history to ensure that our groundwater is managed properly and remains sufficient for all.

Less than 1% of the Earth’s water is freshwater and 98% of the available freshwater is groundwater.  It is a resource for local homes, businesses, bottled water companies, and water delivery services.  It is easier to prevent groundwater contamination than it is to clean it up. 

Here are some tips to help protect and conserve groundwater.

1.      Always used a licensed or certified well-driller.

2.      Keep hazardous materials away from any well.

3.      Periodically check the well cover or well cap to ensure it is in good repair.

4.      Keep well records in a safe place (including any construction, maintenance and water testing results).

5.      Dispose of chemicals properly.

6.      Take used motor oil to a recycling center.

7.      Limit the amount of fertilizer used on plants.

8.      Take short showers.

9.      Shut water off while brushing teeth.

10.  Run full loads of dishes and laundry.

11.  Check for leaky faucets and have them fixed.

12.  Water plants only when necessary.

For more information regarding groundwater management and protection visit http://dpnr.gov.vi/dep/groundwater.htm, or , contact the Department of Planning and Natural Resource-Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 or visit us online at www.dpnr.gov.vi.  

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By Director, Nadine Noorhasan, Ph.D.
Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Director Division of Environmental Protection